Follow the Blue Line: The race itself was flat as we all know, but it did have a few turns which made for a unpredictable course because you didn't know which way the race was turning. There is a line on the course (triple blue) and if you follow it, it will guide you in the direction of the course and basically the line they used to measure the course distance. So its to your advantage to try to find the line and use it as a guide. (London does this too in another color.) My suggestion is in the corral stay to the right side, as after you go around the statue the first turn is to your right.

Weather: Prepare to be wet. It started raining hard at Mile 20 for me and then quickly became running into puddles. Just be prepared for rain as this has happened in years past too. Minimally at the start, head to Amazon for cheap packable ponchos that you can pack and then toss. At the finish line, they handed out heat sheets for everyone and then if you opted out of the shirt, you also received a poncho. Not as nice as the poncho at the NYC Marathon (which by the way you can buy on eBay if you want a really nice throw away lined poncho with a hood). The poncho they had out is more like a cheap fabric with a hood. Did the trick although I'm not sure if its worth it versus not getting a shirt.

Marathon Shirts/Jackets/etc.- Adidas has the rights to the World Marathon Majors. So, like what happened in Tokyo this year, Nike comes out with a version of their own without the word "Marathon". It will say "RunBerlin" or "Run Tokyo". The Berlin Adidas store sold out fast on their shirts/tanks/jackets as did the Nike store. This was by Friday! If you are on the hunt, make a pit stop to Adidas or Nike first to buy your items before the crowds. Adidas personalizes them too in store. At the Expo, skip the store if you are going into the city to get it at the Adidas store and having them personalized.

Timing Chip- Unlike the states, there is a charge for your timing chip. I made the mistake of walking away with it on and therefore I didn't receive my refund for it. The last thing I wanted to do in the rain was untie my laces, take the chip off, and toss it into one of the return bins (my thought was I could just mail it back). Nope. You can only return the chip in the bin by 5pm the day of the marathon. So just remember if you want your moola back, return the chip. Or you can keep it for another European race that requires a chip.

Getting to the race- We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria which as beautiful (a Hilton property too). Great location. Morning of the race I just followed a bunch of runners to the start by hopping on the S train to the starting village. I left at 7:20 for a 9:15 start. I thought this was perfect. Since I opted for the poncho, I didn't have a clear bag for my clothing to turn in, so I brought a big plastic Ziplock with my breakfast, Kleenex, water, etc. and they allowed me to bring it that to the starting corral. GO EARLY!!! EARLY! EARLY! I allowed 2 hours which was perfect but any later and it just gets mannheim.

Corrals- Never in all my races did I feel as crowded in a corral than in Berlin. It will be a tight fit and your first two miles will be crowded. (However, it will force you to slow down in those first few fast miles.) The marathon time you put on your registration is the time they base your coral. For a 3:05 marathoner, I was put in Corral D. (Which tells you that Corral A-B are wicked fast.) At the expo, I was able to change to Corral C based on my half marathon time. If when you get your bib, you are unhappy with your corral, stand in line for a switch and be able to prove via your phone and race results a better time if you can switch corrals. Seems like a minor switch but seriously, the crowds are crazy and it will be bumper to bumper crowded. Every little bit helps.

Expo- Not as fun as London. Expect long lines and lots of moving from one line to another to another to get all the pieces of your packet that you need.

Crowds- Not at every mile, but enough to keep you motivated at many points throughout the race. One major plus is that your family/friends can see you multiple times as they can easily hop on and off the course and use the free trains day of in-between meeting spots.

Kilometers- Study this. Know your kilometers and when (in kilometers) you need GU. Then cross check this with the course map as far as when there will be aid stations. Water is not at every kilometer or every mile. The water station signs are not dramatic (more like small poster boards) so memorize out what kilometer you will take water and anticipate the stations. Water is always to the right side of the course after the first station.

Course- The reason for my five stars is despite all crowded corrals, crazy busy expo, this is an amazing experience. To run in West and East Berlin, through the Brandenburg Gate, on the world's fastest course was amazing. To meet runners from around the world, to experience this, was a truly one in a lifetime experience.

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