My previous blog was about running the PIKES PEAK MARATHON LINK
Then five weeks later I ran the BERLIN MARATHON.
And although they’re both marathons
they’re OPPOSITES in many ways.
PIKES PEAK Marathon was a small race with 721 runners 
BERLIN Marathon was a huge race with 43,852 runners. Yikes!
PIKES PEAK is the WORLD’S 2ND TOUGHEST MARATHON
and it attracts the fastest Trail Runners
BERLIN is the WORLD’S FASTEST ROAD MARATHON
and it attracts the fastest Road Runners
PIKES PEAK marathoners run up steep mountain trails to 14,000 ft. elevation
BERLIN marathoners run on flat pavement at 180 ft. elevation
PIKES PEAK scenery is BIG BOULDERS
BERLIN scenery is BIG BUILDINGS
BERLIN and PIKES PEAK Marathons do have one thing in common:
11% OF ALL RUNNERS DID NOT FINISH
79 PIKES PEAK RUNNERS DID NOT FINISH (11% of 721 runners)
due to the 14,000 ft. HIGH ALTITUDE, which brought on altitude
sickness, nausea, or dizziness and forced them to drop out.
And 4,751 BERLIN RUNNERS DID NOT FINISH (11% of 43,852 runners).
INCLUDING 2 OF THE WORLD’S 3 FASTEST MARATHONERS!
Mainly due to 81% HIGH HUMIDITY that sapped runners energy
and slowed their pace; and if they ignored humidity and ran too fast
the result was often cramps or exhaustion that ended their run.
I’m happy to say I did finish Berlin. Because a few years ago I learned the
impact of humidity. So on race morning when it was 81% I looked at
my humidity chart and knew I had to run 10 seconds slower per
km than planned. That saved me and I had a pretty good run.
Although the last 5 km were still very tough.
But 43,852 runners started the race.
So only 28% (12,325) of runners were FASTER than me.
Gee, now I feel better!
for being one of few to finish all of the World’s 6 Major Marathons.
So the PIKES PEAK Marathon is very TOUGH.
And the BERLIN Marathon is very FAST.
Your choice!…or just run both 🙂