The Berlin Marathon is the largest marathon in Germany and is one of the six largest marathons in the world, along with the marathons in Boston, New York, London, Chicago, and Tokyo.


The Berlin Marathon has the reputation of being the "fastest marathon course in the world" and several world records have been set in Berlin. This race is not only for professional athletes, but also for ordinary runners, and is a blessed place for many amateurs to set their personal best.


Its many cultural and recreational activities, based on the theme of "running", even give the marathon a "carnival" atmosphere.


There are many reasons why runners are able to do well in the Berlin Marathon. First of all, it is autumn in Berlin at the end of September and the temperature is suitable for fast running. Secondly, the course is flat, with a drop of fewer than 20 meters between the highest and lowest points. The course is spacious and relatively straight, with few corners, especially in the first 3 km and near the finish sprint.


The route was designed with asphalt rather than concrete to reduce the damage to the runners' knees.


Third, reasonable supply. The Berlin Marathon's supply stations were "loose before and tight after", with the distance between the stations being farther apart in the section where the runners were still physically strong shortly after the start, and relatively dense after the 30km where they needed to replenish their energy.


The stages near the finish line are mostly shaded roads or shaded by tall buildings so that the tired runners are not suffering from the sun. Finally, there is the morale-boosting effect, as the race organizers arrange dozens of small bands to play music at different times along the route, creating a positive and friendly atmosphere to cheer up the runners.


Before the official marathon is held on Sunday, the organizer will also organize a series of cultural and entertainment activities with the theme of "running", so that general running enthusiasts and ordinary citizens outside the professional athletes can also participate in it. This year, I went to interview for the "Breakfast Run" and "Children's Run" and other activities.


In Berlin has been retired for many years outside the old airport terminal of Temperance's huge tarmac, the morning before the main race held a fun "breakfast run", the course is about 5.5 kilometers long, and this is a recreational activity, with no timing, encourage countries to run wrapped in their national flags, dressed in fancy clothes to participate. Participants will receive a classic Berlin German snack for breakfast.


After the "Breakfast Run" comes the child-friendly "Kids Run", which is also untimed and designed to give children the fun and joy of sports from an early age.


The event is grouped according to the age of the children, each two years old for a group, boys and girls run separately, before the track by the staff led to do warm-up exercises, the event mascot - named "Fridolin" "yellow skunk The race mascot - the "yellow weasel" named "Fridolin" was also on the side of the race to cheer the children.


Among them, the youngest "under 2 years old" group of children some just learned, or even can not walk, need to be held by parents throughout the race or hold to complete the race.