This week we are represented on the world stage in the form of Gillian Jago. With a score to settle at this marathon major, Gill lined up on the start line ready and eager for battle.
More than 45,000 runners from around 150 countries take part in the event in Germany’s capital city. This year sees the 49th edition of the race and it is one of six World Marathon Majors along with Chicago, New York, Boston, London and Tokyo.
The Berlin marathon was started in 1974 by Horst Milde, a German baker and running enthusiast. When it began at the height of the Cold War East Berlin was sealed off by a wall, the marathon was run only in West Berlin. Since 1990 it has started and ended near the Brandenburg Gate, sending runners on a jagged loop through the city. Live music is played at more than 60 locations along the course to keep runners entertained, including at all the famous landmarks. Berlin is billed as the flattest course of all the World Marathon Majors with a total elevation gain of just 241 feet and loss of 260 feet. The biggest hills come between miles 16 and 20 but they max out at less than 30 feet of gain. Conditions today were near perfect at around 14 degrees at the start.
Gill had a mishap at the 10k water station, being knocked to the ground, ending up wet and annoyed but otherwise unscathed and went on to finish the race in a fantastic time of 4:37:03, great running Gill, well done!
