#221 Berlin Marathon 2026: The Elite Race, the Expo, and a 2:53 That Left Me Feeling Mediocre

<p>The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.</p><p><br></p><p>Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIAN</p><p><br></p><p>Save on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPb</p><p><br></p><p>Kristian is back from the Berlin Marathon with a special solo episode: a recap of the elite race, followed by an honest look at what race weekend in Berlin is really like for a runner.</p><p><br></p><p>He starts with the elites: Tigst Assefa&#39;s course record 2:11:04 and the Achilles injury that came to light afterwards, Guye Adola&#39;s 2:02:50 personal best, and former Nordic combined athlete Jakob Lange running 2:13:57. Then Kristian walks through his own weekend, from the expo and the Puma and Saysky activations to the Run and Rave shakeout, and the mistakes and lessons he&#39;d pass on to anyone racing Berlin. He wasn&#39;t racing it, so his own run was a 16k progression inside a marathon that ended in 2:53, followed by a candid reflection on why that still left him feeling mediocre.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode:</p><p>- The elite race: Assefa, Adola, and a big result from Jakob Lange</p><p>- Why Sabastian Sawe missed the race</p><p>- Meeting the Saysky team at the Berlin expo</p><p>- How the Berlin expo works and the wristband tip that gets you free public transit</p><p>- The Puma activation and the Run and Rave shakeout</p><p>- Race morning: when to actually show up at the start</p><p>- Why the plastic cups and one sided aid stations are a problem</p><p>- Running a 16k progression inside a marathon</p><p>- Comparison culture and feeling mediocre after a 2:53</p><p>- Would he recommend Berlin?</p><p><br></p><p>Timestamps</p><p>00:00 Welcome and what this episode covers</p><p>00:50 Meeting Tony from Saysky in Berlin</p><p>03:41 The elite women: Tigst Assefa&#39;s course record</p><p>05:31 Assefa&#39;s Achilles injury and surgery</p><p>06:05 Women&#39;s results and the fastest German woman</p><p>07:15 The men&#39;s race: Adola wins in 2:02:50</p><p>07:46 Sabastian Sawe out injured</p><p>09:56 Jakob Lange: from Nordic combined to 2:13:57</p><p>11:36 Dextro Energy and the Pfeiffers&#39; withdrawal</p><p>13:44 Kristian&#39;s own Berlin weekend begins</p><p>14:43 The expo at the old airport</p><p>15:38 Keep the wristband on: free public transit</p><p>18:44 Big brands and the Wahoo Kickr Run</p><p>21:27 The Puma activation and the sub 4 cha