If it is your first marathon, it will be a very special one. Try not to be nervous or get overwhelmed by the information overload. This will be an overview of what you can expect, before and during the race, so that you only have to focus on being relaxed and enjoying your race.

Race preparations

The most important things to do on the days prior to the race is to get your race number at the expo Berlin Vital, and to stay fit. Try to avoid long standings. This year’s expo is held for the second time at Station Berlin. I cannot tell exactly how things are organised but most probably will it be comparable to the former editions at Tempelhof.

When you live in Berlin, go there as early as you can, preferably on thursday, as it will be way less crowded than on saturday afternoon. You just don’t want to wait longer than necessary to keep your body fit. If you are travelling to Berlin it of course depends on your arrival when you can get your ticket. If saturday afternoon is your only opportunity, than this is what it is. Don’t worry about that, just be prepared that it can be crowded, sometimes they close the entrance for a little while when it becomes too full. It is not possible to get your ticket on sunday.

To get in at the expo, an easy waving with your startpass will do, sometimes they really check your name. When you are in, just follow the signs to the Startnummernausgabe. Here you’ll get your race number and your chip when you hire one. Don’t forget to bring your startpass and your ID! When using your own chip bring it to the expo as well. Furthermore you get a wristband, which is your access authorisation to the starting area. Do not remove it until you have been finished. It is not possible to let someone else get your race documents for you.
Now that you are on the expo you can spend hours to do some shopping, but remember to keep your body fit and not to walk or stay too long. If you forgot your shoes or you’re out of gels, the expo is the place to buy. You can eat some pasta or get a massage as well.

If you’d like to do a final rehearsal, you can start on saturday at 9:30 with a breakfast run of about 6 km from Charlottenburg towards the Olympiastadion, where a power breakfast is served. Furthermore saturday is a day of drinking about 2-3 liters water, eating pasta, and relaxing. It is also the day I’m seriously asking myself why am I doing this? If you have the same doubts, you will get the answer on sunday, promised. It’s also time to do some final preparations, like collecting your equipment for the race, and check how to get to the start area in time. This will help your mind to get some rest as well.

Some things to consider to bring to the race are: your race outfit of course, with race number attached to the shirt (don’t forget to fill out the emergency form at the back), running chip attached to your shoe, GPS watch and heart rate belt, food and drinks for during the race, race strategy notes, drinks before the start, old clothes to put on before the start to keep yourself warm (to be thrown away at the start along the track), sunscreen, single-use rain coat or disposal bag, plastic bag to sit on, a bit of toilet paper (just in case), public transport tickets, mobile phone, and food, drinks, a towel and some dry clothes for after the finish. Put all your stuff in the special marathon bag which you received at the expo. You are not allowed to bring any other bag to the starting area, so if you need a bag to keep some stuff in the start/finish area during the race, use the marathon bag and put your name and race number on it.

I chose not to bring any bag to the start/finish area during the race. My dearest supporter brought me some warm clothes to put on after the finish, and before the start I put my stuff like my phone and some food in a small pocket. That works fine for me, but I can imagine that if you have nobody around to keep your clothes you can keep it in your bag at the drop-off. Or when you have to travel afterwards it is practical to have a refreshing shower and bring some extra clothes to the drop-off.

Race day

Get up early, have breakfast and drink enough. Take your stuff you already collected, put on your old warm clothes and go to the starting area. There are several ways to get there, it also depends on where you leave, but I prefer to take the S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof, as here is your last opportunity to go to a normal toilet, and this is absolutely worth the waiting line. From here it is about a 10 minutes walk to the starting area.

Try to be at the starting area before 8:30. Then you’ll have plenty of time to drop your bag, go to the toilet and go to the start. Keep your warm clothes on as long as possible, preferably until the start. When it rains put on your raincoat or disposal bag, or get one from the organisation.

The start is divided into 3 starting waves. The first time marathon runner, and the slower runners, will start in the last wave and are grouped in block H. This is actually the best sector to start in, with people in it who are not mainly focussed to set their best time ever, but who’d like to enjoy the race, look around and have some fun as well. And if you are quicker than the people around you, it gives a way much better feeling to take over some other people, than to be constantly taken over. So nothing to worry about this block H, it is something to be proud of.

Block H starts in the last wave, which is about 45 minutes after the first start at 9:15. These extra 45 minutes are brilliant. You could for example have a look at the start of the top runners, and easily walk back towards your official block. Or go to the toilets along the start zone, without having to wait long, as everybody’s already waiting inside their start block. There is plenty of time and no need to get nervous. Then at a certain moment even block H will slowly move forward towards the starting line. This is the moment when it is really going to happen, a great feeling. At a sudden moment you pass the start line and there you go! Psst, don’t forget to start your watch. Good luck and enjoy!

The race

So you passed the starting line, started your watch and are running a marathon. Due to adrenaline during the start, it’s easy to go way too fast without noticing. Watch out for that and don’t run too fast during the first 2 kilometers, there’s still another 40km to go.

The Berlin Marathon is actually one big sightseeing tour. You’ll already pass the Siegessäule at km 1, followed by the Charlottenburger Tor at km 2. When entering Moabit the road goes a bit down, and you see a large unending lint of runners before you. Although the marathon passes early in the morning, Moabit is a very vivid area with a lot of public and music. And there’s the first refreshment station! This one is a bit hectic, so watch out when you suddenly cross the street. At km 7 you can wave to Angela and you’ll pass the Reichstag, while enjoying a loud playing drumband. Experience a bit of history when you cross the former East-West border, and then you run via the Friedrichstrasse and the vivid Torstrasse, with a lot of music, towards Alexanderplatz. You hardly noticed that you already ran 11 km.

The beautiful Strausbergerplatz is the next spot, after which you’ll cross the Spree and run towards Kreuzberg. It depends on your speed but you might wave to the television helicopters following the top runners which are almost finished. Another historic moment while passing the former East-West border crossing Heinrich Heine strasse. Kreuzberg is a great area with lots of music along the track. After you passed Moritzplatz, Kottbusser Tor, Hermannplatz, great music at Südstern, and some funky vibes at Yorckschlösschen, you’ll run underneath a row of old bridges in the Yorckstrasse.

Congratulations, you just ended a half marathon! From now on, the shortest way towards the finish line is just to go further, although you might start noticing a little bit of pain. Don’t worry, cause you just entered Schöneberg, again a great area with loads of music and good vibes. Scream Ich bin ein Berliner when you pass Rathaus Schöneberg and move on towards Friedenau. The moment you start thinking it’s becoming really tough, and wondering why you ended up in this suburban area, you arrive at a huge party at Wilden Eber. You’ll keep on hearing the crowd and the music until you finish.

You already did some 30 km, that’s not too bad, only 12 km to go. It makes it easier when you split the last part into mini tracks which you know you can easily do. Only 1 km to go and you’re back in town inside the A100 ring. Then just a 2 km track towards the Kurfürstendamm. Another 2 km towards the Gedächtniskirche. Also the refreshing and nutrition stations follow every 2 km, so why not just treat yourself, you deserve it. About 1,5 km towards KaDeWe and then it’s almost time to turn left, towards the Potsdamer Platz, where you can see the Brandenburger Tor. That’s your final destination, you only have to run for about 3 km through Mitte and over the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt. Then turn another right and left, and you see the Brandenburger Tor. The final kilometer! This is the moment you’ll start flying. The loud cheering of the crowd let’s you forget all your pain. Run through the gate and after another 300 meter you will finish. Don’t forget to smile to the cameras and greet your fans.

Congratulations! You are a hero.

PS: It’s always possible that you won’t make it to the finish line. I started 3 times, finished twice, and I stepped out after 30km one time. Things can happen. Don’t let the disappointment take too long, be proud of what you achieved and let it be a motivation to get yourself in shape for the next opportunity.

More information at the official bmw-berlin-marathon.com site.

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The island West Berlin formed after World War 2 and vanished by the opening of the Berlin Wall in 1989. As part of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the wall, the Stadtmuseum Berlin brings the exhibition West:Berlin – An island in search of its mainland. The exhibition introduces the new spelling West:Berlin to express its independent political view to all visitors whatever their origin: West Berliner, people from Berlin the capital of the GDR, from the FRG, from the GDR, from foreign western countries, from countries belonging to the former Warsaw Pact, or elsewhere. Interestingly, the exhibition is held in the Ephraim Palais, a beautiful exhibition space located in the former eastern part of the city. I had a look.

Ephraim Palais

In 1762, the rich banker and entrepreneur Veitel Heine Ephraim ordered to reconstruct an old pharmacy into the original Ephraim Palais, which was bought by the city of Berlin in 1843. As part of renovation plans in 1935, the Ephraim Palais was demolished to make way for the new city hall district. As the facade of the building was kept in West Berlin, and the construction drawings were left in East Berlin, the palace could not be rebuilt until 1987. In that year the Nicolaiviertel was reconstructed as part of the 750th anniversary of Berlin. After some exchanges with West Berlin, the Ephraim Palais could be rebuilt on its original location in East Berlin. Nowadays it is used for exhibitions by the Berlin Stadtmuseum, such as the current exhibition about West Berlin.

History of West Berlin

In 1945, when World War II ended, Germany was divided into a Russian, American, British and French sector. The four allied forces were supposed to form the democratic republic Germany with capital Berlin. Therefore Berlin held a special status and was divided into four sectors as well. Due to conflicting political interests, the four allied forces did not form a joint administration in Berlin. Instead they each controlled their own sector. Just a few years after the war, Berlin was the center of a new conflict: the Cold War.

In 1949 the three western sectors officially formed the city of West Berlin, a democratic society based on free elections which was closely tied to the FRG. Surrounded by the GDR, a socialistic state, West Berlin became a political enclave. As the infrastructure was cut off by the GDR (except air traffic via Tempelhof), the city was supposed to be as self-supporting as possible. Daily Berlin life went on and people could still travel throughout the entire city, East and West, go to work or visit family.

After some time, the border between East and West Germany was closed. However, because it was still easy to travel from East to West Berlin, many unsatisfied GDR citizens fled their country to West Germany via West Berlin. Between 1949 and 1961 more than 1 million people left the GDR via this escape route, until suddenly, on 13 August 1961, the wall was built by the GDR to prevent its citizens to leave. The border of the cold war became nowhere so/as near as in Berlin, and surrounded by the wall the island West Berlin became an even more unique city.

After fall of the wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany in 1990, West Berlin lost its special status. Together with East Berlin it formed the city of Berlin, the capital of Germany. The chapter West Berlin has been history for 25 years now.

Life in West Berlin

Being an island enclosed by the socialistic GDR, West Berlin was difficult to reach. Travelling through the GDR by car along the highway was possible, but especially during border controls the GDR was not very cooperative and put up obstacles as much as possible, such as car inspections and other long procedures to increase the waiting time. Berlin was reached via the airports Tempelhof and Tegel as well, and via the Zoologischer Garten railway station, which was the only station left in West Berlin for long distance trains.

Although difficult to reach, West Berlin was an open city. Many opportunities were taken to promote the importance of freedom, especially near the wall, where for example huge loudspeakers, directed to the east, were used to propagate the free word. Dignitary had an obligatory look at the wall during official visits to West Berlin. By living at the front of the cold war, the importance of freedom and democratic rights was clearly felt. A society without these rights was just at the other side of the wall. For this reason critisism was also not easily accepted; it was suggested that you could just leave to the other side if you had complaints.

West Berlin was ruled by the three allied forces, but remained closely tied to the FRG. The West German government strongly supported the city in order to let the small society survive. The economic situation was weak as many industries were gone after World War II. Aided by the friendly economic regulations such as tax advantages there were many jobs in new mechanical and electrical industry. Furthermore scientific institutes were doing well and the fashion industry flourished.

The special status of West Berlin resulted in special regulations as well, such as the exemption from military service, special driving regulations and continuous opening hours for bars. The three allied powers each brought their own cultural values, such as art, music, literature, architecture and fairs. The booming art scene attracted many artists and the alternative scene was large.

Altogether the continuously changing population in West Berlin formed an international, creative and diverse city on a small island.

The exhibition clarifies the history of West Berlin from a political, economic, social and cultural viewpoint. It displays many photos, posters, films and attributes of the West Berlin daily life as well as of many special events.

West:Berlin – An island in search of its mainland

west.berlin
Ephraim Palais Poststrasse 16 10178 Berlin-Mitte
U2 Klosterstrasse S5 S7 S75 Alexanderplatz
Until 28 June 2015
Open Tue Thu Fri Sat Sun 10-18 Wed 12-20
Entrance 7 Euro/5 Euro, booklet included
Combiticket West:Berlin and Märkisches Museum 9 Euro/6 Euro
Under 18 free admission
First wednesday of the month free admission

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And at November 9th 1989 the wall was torn down, an impressive and amazing event in recent world history. This sunday it will be 25 years since the the peaceful revolution of East German citizens finally ended in the opening of the Berlin Wall, which was the beginning of the end of the cold war and led to the reunification of Germany.

This 25th anniversary has been celebrated extensively during the past few months and will have its big final during the weekend of 7-9 November. The event will be attended by international guests such as the former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev.

Lichtgrenze

The celebrations start Friday at 17:00 with the opening of the light installation Lichtgrenze along the track of the inner Berlin wall. Along a 15 kilometer course, starting at the Bornholmer Strasse, through the city towards the Oberbaumbrücke, 8000 white illuminating Helium balloons will outline the former inner Berlin wall. This project by the Berlin artists Christopher and Marc Bauder enables visitors to imagine and feel the existence of the wall in a symbolic way. The illuminated balloons bring hope and happiness, and it reminds of the burning candles, which became symbol of the many peaceful demonstrations which finally led to the fall of the wall.

At points along the light installation, the exhibition 100 wall stories 100 times Berlin can be viewed, which tells 100 personal stories of people from the divided city.

On sunday at 19:00 the fall of the wall is celebrated when all the balloons will be released and sent into the sky.

The weekend is closed with the Mut zur Freiheit party at the Brandenburger Gate with Udo Lindenberg, Clueso, Peter Gabriel, Paul Kalkbrenner, and others.

Main Programme 7-9 November

• Lichtgrenze Fri 17:00 – Sun 19:00
• Wall Stories Fri 17:00 – Sun 24:00
• Guided Tours Fri hourly 18-20, Sat hourly 12-20, Sun hourly 12-16. Starting from the Mauerpark, Checkpoint Charlie and East Side Gallery.
• Balloon Release Sunday at 19:00
• Party Brandenburger Gate at Sunday, programme can be found here

An overview of all the photo exhibitions, readings, discussions, walking tours, etcetera, can be found at www.fallofthewall25.com.

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Berlin has an old brewing tradition. In the past, the city housed many breweries and around 1900 the amount of breweries was the largest of Europe. Most do not exist anymore, or are part of the large Berliner-Kindl-Schultheiss brewery.
Since the last couple of years however, the amount of microbreweries is growing fast, which can be directly linked to the popularity of craft beer.

Craft Beer

The craft beer movement originates in the US during the 1980s. Unsatisfied by the narrow offers of mainly industrial lager beer, people started brewing their own home-made beer. The fun of experimenting with rare ingredients, such as hops and flavours, resulted in a new beer drinking experience. It became more an event of tasting beers which have more character and more taste, and which are more honest and more personally made.

Berlin Craft Beer Fest

Also the craft beer community in Berlin rocks nowadays, which is celebrated
by the Berlin Craft Beer Fest, a two day beer festival which is a little brother of Braufest Berlin. It will take place at the same location around the Badehaus Szimpla at the RAW Gelände. About 20 Berlin microbreweries will be presenting their finest craft beer, accompanied by talks, streetfood and some fine music.
I personally am on a quest for the best IPA. Hopefully I will succeed during this Craft Beer festival!

Also interesting to know is that the 2nd Braufest Berlin will take place 11th-13th September on the same location, with an international line-up with more breweries.

Berlin Craft Beer fest 2014

www.braufest-berlin.de
Badehaus Szimpla RAW Gelände, Revaler Strasse 99, 10245 Berlin-Friedrichshain
Fri May 30 12-23 Sat May 31 13-23
Free entrance
S5 S7 S75 U1 Warschauer Strasse
M10 M13 M16 Revaler Strasse

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This picture looks like an ordinary daily scene in a certain city. The pavement and buildings, and details like the gas lantern suggest that it is probably Berlin. The cars reveal that it is somewhere mid 80s. It has been raining, people walk across the street. The grocery is open.
Just a normal street scenery in Berlin somewhere in the 80s. Yes it is, and no, it isn’t. This is the Dresdener Strasse in Kreuzberg, and 10 meter to the left is the Berlin wall. It is part of a huge panorama “Die Mauer” (The Wall) by the artist Yadegar Asisi, in which the artists shows that every day life behind the Berlin wall was normal, although the location and circumstances were not at all.

Panoramas by Asisi

Yadeagar Asisi (*1955 Vienna) grew up in the East German cities Halle and Leipzig. He studied architecture in Dresden and Art in West Berlin. Since 1993 he works on panoramas which resulted in the worlds largest panoramas in old gasometers in Dresden and Leipzig. Currently, panoramas can be seen in Dresden, about the baroque period, and in Leipzig, about the battle of the nations in 1813. Until 2012 the panorama about Pergamon was exposed in Berlin. Since 2012 the panorama Die Mauer is exposed, near Checkpoint Charlie.

Panorama The Wall

Asisi lived in Kreuzberg in the 80s near the wall. He came up with the idea of this panorama when he was asked what living behind the wall was like, to show how people adapt to conditions as a strategy to survive. Helped by old photos, paintings, drawings and memories he worked 4 years to construct a detailed scenery of a normal fictitious autumn day in the 80s. It resulted in a huge panorama of 60 x 15 meter, supported by light effects and audio fragments.
It’s a nice opportunity to feel the existence of the wall within your heart instead of listing solely the facts. To see the small strip that is left of the Sebastianstrasse (-which you may recognise from Marillion’s Kayleigh videoclip-), children playing, people painting gravity on the wall, tourists touching the wall, making selfies, visitors looking over the wall, the todesstreifen between both walls and pigeons sitting on the wall or just flying around. All spotted by guards in a watchtower….

Absolutely worth a visit!

Asisi Panometer Berlin

Friedrichstrasse 205 (Checkpint Charlie) 10117 Berlin
www.asisi.de
September 2012 till at least the end of 2014
Open Daily 10-18
Entrance fee 10 Euro
U6 Kochstrasse

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It’s a nice opportunity to test a new camera. Don’t forget to bring your ID in order to lend one. Afterwards you may keep the SD card with your own photos. Or you can just bring your own camera if you don’t want to queue up for one.

Opernwerkstätten building

Not only the installations by the artist, also the building itself is worth a visit. The Opernwerkstätten (opera workshop), located in the Charité area, was built in 1941 by Albert Speer and houses 18000 m2. Here, sets and costumes were constructed, serving all 3 opera houses and several theaters.
Today, the building is used for events and exhibitions like the Olympus Photography Playground.

Olympus Photography Playground

www.photographyplayground.de
Till May 25 2014
Open Daily 11-19
Opernwerkstätten, Zinnowitzer Strasse 9, Berlin-Mitte
S1 S2 S25 Nordbahnhof, U6 Naturkundemuseum

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