On 27th September 2026 I took part in the Berlin Marathon 2026. This was a special occasion, as I joined the Jubilee Club. For those that do not know, the Jubilee Club is an ever present part of the Berlin Marathon, offering perks and rewards for legacy and participation. After completing your 10th Marathon you can join the Jubilee Club. This secures guaranteed entry for life, and other perks, such as a special lounge at the Berlin Marathon Expo. On completion of 20,25,30,35 and so on, you are offered complementary entry to your next race. You are given your own personal number, so from 2027 I will have the same green number, in addition you get a back bib sharing how many times you have completed Berlin. So, next year I will have a bib with a 10 x Berlin Marathon. Such a lovely experience.
The Berlin Marathon 2026 was not only my 10th Berlin Marathon, it was my 9th time pacing sub 4 at Berlin. It was my 194th Marathon (plus) and 143rd time as an official pacer (80 Marathons). There are always many reasons why people like certain events, and one reason Berlin is for me is the food and atmosphere. I love my tradition of a Stein and Pork Knuckle the day before the marathon. Yes, I know this is not idle marathon preparation, and if I was aiming for a PB I would reconsider (perhaps), but as a pacer I am going at a more comfortable pace, and aim to just enjoy the experience.
This year I travelled with Scott, and we decided to travel without any leave from work. We took the first flight from London at 0800 on Saturday, arriving with plenty of time to get to the expo. We we delayed by airport security at immigration with unnecessarily long queues. This is unique to UK (brexit) as if we were allowed to use the gates it would have saved over an hour. However, the journey from the airport to the expo was quick.
We arrived around 11:30, and we returned to the original expo venue (personally I preferred last years). We got through, and queued for our wrist bands, but after this point it was relatively quick. The main inconvenience is it is a one way system, so if you miss anything or forget something, you have to go around again. We got our bibs and checked in at the pacer tent to collect kit and instructions. I then got an erdinger (as always) and could not find the Jubilee lounge. We had to do another trip to find it, but then established that really there was nothing to do. You don’t get a back bib until your 11th, next year for me.
After the expo we went straight to Hofbrau for a pork knuckle and stein. As it is in Octoberfest it closes early and in the evening you need to pre book for special events. I often struggle to get in on time so we rushed to make it and loved it.
We relaxed a bit of time in our hotel before meeting a big group from the UK for food and drink. Finishing off with well needed rest and a film to wrap up the day.
Berlin Marathon 2026
I actually had a great night sleep. After waking up at 0300 on Saturday and being awake until 2300, Berlin is great as it is not a really early start. I set my alarm for 0600, but we did not leave until 0715. The race village only allows runners, and you can only enter with your official bag. Pro tip, pack light and as long as the rucksack fights in the bag, it doesn’t matter. Every year I squeeze my bag into the race bag. I have the luxury of a private area for pacers that I can leave my bag, so I immediately take my bag back out and put the official bag back in my rucksack which I use for my wet clothes when I finish.
The running community is so friendly and I have met so many wonderful people. Such as Tristan who has come to run Berlin Marathon with me for 5 years in a row. It makes me proud as I must be doing something right if someone keeps coming back. Then at the pacer tent, it is surrounded by many familiar faces. I have been pacing for 14 years, and pacing Berlin for 9 years. During this time I have seen many new people arrive each year, and many old faces keep coming back. These are my extended family from all over the world. A group of people who spend their time helping others to hit their goals.
I always like to get to the race start early. Some pacers arrive later, but I think the first part is an important job for a pacer. So I arrived in my wave an hour early. There were many people waiting already, so as always, I asked who was aiming for a sub 4. There are three reasons for this: 1) get a gauge that I’m where I should be, 2) Let people know I’m there, and 3) start engaging runners.
With an hour head start it is perfect to begin engaging, reassuring, answering questions and building a group. The 4 hour group grew massively as people made their way to the start. I had many first time marathon runners, even more first time Berlin marathon runners. I had many aiming for sub 4 for the first time, but I also had a number of people who had ran with me before, both in Berlin and around the world.
I always like to do a bit of a talk at the start. To explain my race strategy, what to expect, provide my tips and small anecdotes, plus answer any questions. The main theme is always to control what is controllable, not worrying about the rest, plus have fun, because a smile goes a long way to success.
It was a long lead time, but finally it was our time to start. We had hundreds start with us, and we had a brilliant run. It got hot early. We started at 1002, and as soon as we ran out of the shade I could feel the heat. I spent a lot of the race encouraging runners to stay hydrated, take their nutrition and relax their bodies. I’m always vocal, and finished the day with a sore throat and cough, which is a sign of a great day motivating people around me.
I ran with Ian and Willy, and we worked well as a team. I lead for most of the first half, until they wanted to pickupthepace a little. I held on to them but didn’t want to push to much so then I let them go, creating a gap for runners between us.
Tristan was great, helping collect water for me. The water is in cups and it can get congested, but if everyone keeps the flow then it isn’t to bad. But somehow they manage to keep the water really cold which is much needed.
I passed the half way at 1:59:31. I had told runners I would gradually build up to 30 seconds ahead of target in the first half, and then maintain it, easing off slightly towards the end, which is exactly what I did. Half way we were perfect, then we maintained. Around 30 to 35k I started noticing losing a few runners, which is always hard. I wish I could stay with everyone, but thats not the job. I had a number pick up the pace to join the pacers ahead, whilst I stayed on pace and encouraged the rear.
Once you reach 41km it is exciting. We start to join a long straight with the gate ahead. Then beyond that lies the finish line. I shouted at runners around to overtake and get under sub 4, whilst coming in comfortable for a sub 4 myself.
I am pleased to finish in 03:59:36. This is a strong position within the range I always aim for.
After the finish I checked in with the pace team, before making my way to the event area for the Jubilee Club. Here I joined the stage to collect my medal, card, certificate and bib.
Thats 10 Berlin Marathon, I wonder how long I can keep this going.