Marathon Races List

A very mixed performance on my part. I've had the famous Röntgenlauf on my radar for a while because it's one of the top 5 or even top 3 best-known/popular ultras in Germany. This year it matched our family fall vacation plans perfectly because it is on the way from Hamburg to Lake Constance where we had planned to stay for a week. A muddy ultra at the end of the season is a good thing.

The race itself was really great. Very well organized, friendly people, great aid stations, beautiful course. I have no criticism of it and would recommend the run to anyone for whom the distance (63.3 km) and elevation gain (1,370 m) sound interesting. There are no steep climbs, everything is runnable, mostly on wide country lanes.

The weather was expectedly tough, just above zero degrees, but with rain at the start and wind the perceived temperature actually dropped to -4C. With five layers on the upper body and a rain jacket on top, it was okay. After an hour into the run, the rain stopped and didn't come back. This also made the temperature much more bearable. It remained muddy, windy and cool, but that was all within reason.

Based purely on my fitness figures from the last few key sessions and the total distances I’d done I estimated a finish time of 5:30. I ran the first 5km with Patrick, for whom this is a home race as he is from Wuppertal and does it almost every year. A bit slow, but nice talking. Then I really felt the drive and set off. My legs were great, the atmosphere was great and the course was easy to enjoy. After 33km, even the kids were on the course with Sophie and Moppel the dog! Really nice. Shortly after that, however, I lost it and really slowed down. The nutrition was perfect, that wasn't the problem. I had just under 30km to think about what went wrong. It was almost certainly general exhaustion. I trained with too much intensity and had too many races in the last few weeks. Then there was the previous week in Paris with Emma, on my feet all day every day (Disneyland, Eiffel Tower) with very poor sleep. I didn't get enough rest.

My legs just felt like I had 30 kgs more body weight. Like concrete. When even on the shallow downhills I could hardly do more than a 7:00 pace, it was difficult to motivate myself. But somehow you still manage to finish, even if you are only overtaken. A bit of a shame from that point of view. Another runner, who I saw and spoke to for the first time after 25km, suffered exactly the same fate. We overtook each other several times in the last few kilometers and so we both had a fellow sufferer, which was a little comforting. With my bad performance of this day, I didn't deserve the good placing and was surprised – 32nd male of 183 isn’t so bad. With my  previously predicted time of 5:30h, I would even have scratched the podium today. Crazy. I think that time is very realistic for me on a good day. So it's clear that I have to come back!

This was my second time as a pacemaker at this wonderful city marathon. Last year I was responsible for the 4:00h, this year for 3:45h. At first it looked like relatively bad conditions: Storm surge, heavy rain the day before, lots of wind. But then we were very lucky and the course only had to be adjusted slightly because of the flooding. Neither rain nor wind played a major role, and the temperature was super pleasant at around 10°C - much better than two weeks ago in Berlin, where it got close to 30.

I had a great chat with Jürgen Bultmann, "Bulti", who was my 3:45h pacer buddy and is a very experienced 100 Marathon Club member who has also finished some wild 320km races including the Spartathlon. However, he had a strong urge to push forward, and although I constantly reminded him of our job (5:18 min/km), we got carried away with a 5:15 and unfortunately exceeded the time target quite significantly, possibly ruining the best time for some runners. I can only hope that this was not the case, or only rarely. There were also a lot of people who thanked us at the finish and were very happy about their result. So it wasn't all that bad. The run itself was somewhat surprisingly exhausting for me (82% maxHF towards the end), but a long run like this is always a good training stimulus. I'm happy to take it with me.

After a few years without any luck in the lottery, I was finally drawn. Not immediately, but then at the second attempt, because some of those who got drawn didn't accept their place. I was really looking forward to it and was even thinking about trying to run a personal best here in Berlin (under 2:55h) by running the tough CCC three weeks beforehand as easily as possible, but fortunately I abandoned the idea in time.

So after the CCC I only had a short recovery and then tried to somehow build up my speed again in the few weeks so that I could maybe even manage the 2:59h in Berlin. That would be kind of cool, I thought. Recovery went well, one week after CCC I ran the Flensburg Marathon in 3:21h relatively safely and without exhaustion, then some speed and tapering afterwards, and based on that I figured I had a 40% chance of sub-3 in Berlin. That went well up to 17 km, but then my heart rate was so high and the feeling in my legs was so bad that I was suddenly only able to jog and the priority then became to somehow save a reasonably solid result at the finish. A great struggle. I was glad when it was over.

The problems were: Heat (28°C), the lack of electrolytes (only Maurten Mix at the aid stations, no salt), it was super crowded and stressful (okay, I knew that beforehand), and in the end you also have to say it just wasn't my day. I didn't have good legs, it happens. I'm glad I didn't sacrifice the CCC for it. I can live with the 3:28h in the end, although it's a bit of a shame because I couldn't enjoy the atmosphere and was completely in the tunnel. That's what I took away from the experience: no attempt at a best time in Tokyo, just enjoy the Major there and be present. I have to come back again and run solidly, that's for sure. Berlin is too awesome to just leave it at that.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

After last year as a 3:45h pacer, all the pacer places were taken this time, but Orga-Thorsten assigned me as a "joker" / backup. Free race number and ready to go. A week after the CCC, things were naturally rather shaky, but my recovery went surprisingly well. I ran the Mottenburg Mile on Friday, finishing 4th over the 7.5km in 4:04, which was a strong signal. Martina then took over the organization and wanted me to run 5:00, but I said that would be very difficult for me. Fortunately, someone from the HM pacers found me. So during the race, I first hung on to the (fastest) 3:30h pacers to see if anyone needed a replacement during the race, but everyone was fit. The 3:45 and 4:00 pacers could be seen again and again on the meeting course, they were all fine. So after about 10k we asked for permission, got it, and set off. The pace then slowly leveled off at 4:40, a few seconds slower at the back of course, but still quite stable. Here and there a little chat with people who recognized me from last year, and also with the pacers I passed on the 4th lap, and with the race director Stefan, who recognized me from last year's photos. That was very cool. The run is always super nice, today again with the best weather, a little sunburn remains as a souvenir. I'm more than happy with my finish time, even surprised. A good last long run before Berlin and the stupid sub-3 attempt I'm planning there.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

A few weeks after the Tuscany Crossing 103K, where I most likely broke my left big toe, I am of course still going to compete here. My 10th participation here! But you are only treated as a VIP if you are 15 or over. I felt pretty fit again, but not fit enough to pace Mathias and Philippe to sub-3, which was my crazy plan before the toe fracture. Otherwise, the Tuscany Recovery had gone well and I felt good. I bravely ran the first half-mile in 1:31:45 and briefly wondered whether I might even be able to run sub-3 and catch Mathias and Philippe. But then quickly realized that I wasn't up to it. At 27, the ladies were again supplying water and organizing relay changes, a big group this time! Really nice. Vera noticed that my white Alphaflys on my left toe had turned a little red. So the broken toe had bled during the race, but I didn't notice. The pain was hardly noticeable either. So I carried on, did my best without completely tearing myself apart, and crossed the finish line really happy and exhausted with a time of 3:09, all in strong weather. Mathias barely made it under 3 for the first time, even if it was very close, Philippe unfortunately dropped a bit towards the end and ended up with a 3:02. But he wanted to see very quickly which fall race he could finish in. A successful day and, as always, one of the best of the year for me.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

The race had been fixed for me for quite a long time because I would like to run a marathon race in all 16 federal states and Saxony-Anhalt has a good road race to offer with Magdeburg. That was already state 15 here, only Brandenburg is still open. And what a cool run that was! Being here in the east is always double-edged: the cities are often beautiful and renovated on the inside and super poor and ugly on the outskirts. The people are xenophobic and intolerant, but everything is pretty cheap. I stayed in a very luxurious Maritim for under €100 a night, and there was a glass atrium. Spectacular. The journey by ICE and RE was quick and uncomplicated, it was a great short trip. The marathon itself is quite small with only around 300-400 starters, but there are several other races around it. Super flat and easy to run. Two laps. The weather couldn't have been better, I've been really lucky with the weather for so many of my races this year. Spent a large part of it with two people, Jan and Pekka, chatting and joking. Jan, a first-timer, got all my gels because it was new to him. I coached him a lot and when he had to slow down after 36km, I wanted to see what else I could do and put in a perfect final acceleration - up from 5:15 to just 4:30 and then the last kilometre in 4:17. I'm more than happy with the finish time, although I didn't really care about it today. Refreshments, showers, massage - everything here was great. A strong race, also suitable as a PB course, although there was probably a measuring error. We were 400m short. I don't think that's okay as a PB course. Nevertheless, it's a good place to run again!

(Machine translated using DeepL)

Second time as a pacer, this time 4:00h. I already knew Bremen, having run here in 2023. That makes it easier, of course. With the 4:00h group you also have a lot more people with you, which feels better. Unfortunately, I was a bit ill this week and had to start with stomach problems and cold symptoms. Aspirin Complex. Mathias came along as a pacer and ran next to me, which helped a lot when I had to make a porta-potty stop at km35. After that I felt better and was able to make up the two minutes I had lost in two fast kilometers, while he carried the flag backpack for me in the meantime. Nevertheless, the run was a struggle for me, especially towards the end, despite the slow pace. Running a marathon when you're sick isn't that nice, but I didn't want to sit it out. It's also about building up an image of reliability. I think that worked out very well. Now it's time to recover well and get healthy for Chicago!

(Machine translated using DeepL)

Directly after a week's family vacation in Denmark (always stressful, although the conditions were actually very good) and the wedding of Krischi and Nena on the way back near Kappeln (SH) with the ICE Saturday to Saarland, hotel night (super relaxed) and onto the trail. Hardly had any expectations or ideas, but then had a very positive experience. Wonderfully and lovingly organized small event. A week of slack training beforehand with short, dragged laps probably had a tapering effect, so that I somehow had enough power again for the ultra. The course was very easy, lots of wide country lanes and therefore hardly technical. The history of the Saarland and coal mining in particular was represented by the route. Running past all the abandoned industrial ruins is a bit spooky. Also interesting: the Saarlanders like to keep to themselves. The event has little reach to the outside world, only insiders seem to find their way here, but that's okay. The 1,700m up and down are not so noticeable. There are some steep climbs here and there, but overall it's a good ride through the forests with leafy sun protection. Of course it drags at some point, but the VPs were great and sufficient with five every 10km. Vegan pasta at the finish. Reasonable starting price, warm showers, relaxed music, easy-going people. I liked it very much. If you live closer to it, it would definitely be an annual thing for me.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

Marathons in the evening are always difficult, but especially this time, firstly because I've had two very exhausting weeks since we got our new dog Kiwi into our lives, but also because the day itself is a bit tough due to the 2.5-hour drive. Eating and resting is very difficult to time, and 27C only helps to a limited extent. However, I really enjoyed the time alone and decided on a whim before the run to aim for roughly 3:30h. At the moment I'm still in the off-season, as my body has been telling me for a few weeks, including the fact that intervals or similar structured training is out of the question. Two weeks ago, however, I managed to run a blatant 38:15 in the "tempo run", the 10k as part of the HH Triathlon. So that was the training. The splits here today in Rostock looked very good, but it was a struggle in the last 15km due to the time of day and the suboptimal carbohydrate situation. Hella as the main sponsor with calorie-reduced drinks doesn't help that much, and I only had 1 gel with me. But, bagged 3:30 and really enjoyed the course! Great course with lots of water, little crowds, good organization, nice atmosphere. But would definitely be better at 9:00 in the morning. Sitting in the car until after midnight isn't great on an evening run either. Checked off, no regrets.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

Such a nice event: first time with a marathon (2 laps), and although I was a bit tired the days before, the regeneration obviously helped and I felt great at the start. As a result, my planned easy 5:00 pace quickly turned into a 4:40, which then even became an average 4:35. With negative split! Of course that took a lot of energy and required 85%+ HR, but finishing with such a good time is of course very satisfying. And I really like 10th place overall. The weather was once again as I would like it to be, around 20 degrees. It was too hot for many, but not for me. The course, the organization, everything was great. The border crossings are funny. The only disadvantage of the trip to Basel: everything is insanely expensive!

(Machine translated using DeepL)

Six days after the sub-3 in Kandel, it was clear that this would be a fun run today. And the atmosphere was extremely well suited to this. A very cosy, albeit professionally organized, small run. A lot of love for detail. Wonderful nature, the beautiful lake always as an anchor point on the left, very lovely refreshment points, and I also got through quite well. Partly muddy, slippery, climbing necessary, but a lot was also simply asphalt cycle paths or other flat paths. I found out that my trail shoes don't offer enough cushioning, which could be the cause of back pain. Upgrade needed before ZUT. A highlight after the run was eating and chatting with Marcel Wichmann, an old internet hero of mine (uarrr.org), who found me through running and with whom I was able to flow really well.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

A nice little race, organized by Hajo Meyer from the 100 Marathon Club, where I have already finished 2nd once. The performance density is very low, as most of the runners here simply collect endless marathons. Some legends were there, including Hajo himself, who is no longer an active runner, but at 83 is still very much part of the scene. For the first half, I stayed relaxed at 4:50-5:00 minutes with Volker, whom I had just met. But then I started to pull ahead, the average pace was faster at the end, but due to the time-consuming VP stops I ended up averaging 4:50 again. 3:24:30 was on my watch, but the ancient volunteers accidentally wrote 3:26:30. It didn't matter at all. The win too - quite nice of course, but meaningless. Running a marathon at 5 degrees and drizzling rain in November in a rather desolate corner of Hamburg, that's the real victory. I'm very happy that it worked out so well, only a week after the NYC marathon, and that I'm generally in such a good fitness level right now.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

Great day, huge event. Great weather! The route is relatively unimaginative, from just before Padova it goes almost directly to Venice, then only the last 2-3km on the island itself, which is also due to the situation with the many bridges and tourists, logically. Totally okay and very impressive that people actually manage to put on a race like this. Unfortunately, I was a bit late at the start, so I couldn't hand in my starter bag (trucks were gone) and then had to carry it to the Family 15km. Exhausting. Nevertheless, I ran my planned 5km pace and kept it until the finish. I would have liked to run sub-3:30, but unfortunately it was no longer possible, I ran out of energy towards the end - I only had one gel and the sugar supply on the course was unfortunately very poor. Iso was thin and rare. Great atmosphere, lots of partying, lots of rock bands on the roadside (a girl punk band played Blink 182, quite well actually). A lot of overly optimistic Italians started too hard and crashed at the end, which was noticeable. I don't know if I would recommend the race to others. It's obviously a blatant tourist thing, but you don't get that much of the city and the rest of the course is rather boring and not very varied. It's flat, but it doesn't have much potential for best times because it's very crowded and jostling, and at the end with the many (makeshift) bridges it's difficult, slippery, wobbly and also very narrow again. It's almost impossible to make up important seconds. Apart from that, the race is a good fun event.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

The day before it was still 20C and sunny, today unfortunately 1-5 degrees with drizzle and overcast skies in this beautiful part of the world. I knew parts of the route from the Mozart. However, it was all very flat, except for a really nasty climb at the northern end of the lake, which went up about 200m in a very short distance and then went straight back down steeply. This took a lot of energy and made the second half marathon a fight. Sophie had the children with her and surprised me with them several times at the edge of the course, which was wonderful. Great feelings. Crossing the finish line was a relief, my legs were flat. Very happy with the finish time. Moving on, Venice Marathon next weekend! Looking forward to what's to come.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

Finally the chance to make up for my 2021 DNF! Munich is always worth a trip, I think. The start, finish and race center, the Olympic Stadium, are particularly cool. I was a little disappointed with the route: although some interesting parts of the city made it in, many were missing and a few loops were only there to fill up the kilometers. The atmosphere was also rather poor for such a big city and the weather conditions were actually pretty good. I spontaneously decided that it was a good day and just went for a sub 3:20h finish time. That was relatively brave, only a week after the last marathon, but it went very well until the finish. The body played along, heart rate was okay at just over 80%. Met a few friends, quite nice. You can take the run with you, and I would start here again if I had the chance, but you don't have to really go for it. It's a bit behind Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt in my ranking.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

Cloudy day, but cold behind me and ready to enjoy. It worked! Wonderful race, great course, flat and varied, unfortunately until km 24 only water at the VPs, no sugary things - so gels would have been needed. The highlight of the race: a lap inside the Weser stadium! That was surprising and really cool. Sophie and the kids even made it to the course at another point, which was just like old times, really nice. I was aiming for sub-3:20, but then I preferred to spend some time with the kids on the course and easily managed 3:25. Everything was fine, I'd rather recover quickly than have a few minutes less on the clock here. But you can also use the marathon as an attempt at a best time.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

Six days after Boston, another one straight away. Good preparation for the Lavaredo Ultra 120k in June, running so many long distances. But it wasn't going to be a best time, that was for sure. So I paced Mathias: he wanted to run a PR (sub-3:18) and had been working towards 3:10. So my plan was to lead him at a 4:25-4:30 pace until I had to let up. I would have been happy with 21k, but then I even managed 32k! Mega proud, Mathias was super happy, then kept going consistently, really pushing the limit, and finished in 3:09 - while I only had to slow down slightly and finished in a pretty good 3:14. Fantastic conditions, just a great race like every year. Again and again, until I can't do it anymore!

(Machine translated using DeepL)

A third attempt for sub-3, 12 weeks of structured training with hobby coach Mathias, unfortunately got sick 3 times in the meantime. Still somehow made fitness progress, but far from 2:59, and then got sick again 3 days before the race. I managed to pull it off with a cough and limp, but it's a shame that I had so much bad luck this winter.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

A week after the DNF at the Templiers Endurance Trail, this was exactly what I needed to bounce back after the sad fail there in France. Perfect weather, a really good atmosphere, a great course in a beautiful city, peace and solitude, as well as good legs and a very solid result. Dream day!

(Machine translated using DeepL)

After eleven weeks of focused training for HH in 2:59 in three weeks, this was a test race and a relaxed long run. Of course, it's always a bit more strenuous than a long run, but as I still had the ticket from pre-Covid 2019, I wanted to redeem it and was looking forward to the vacation weekend. The run went perfectly, great course, good pacers (who ran by gross time though), not too crowded, no rain. But it was cold. No problem at all, I ran super consistently, very happy about the tour here.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

First normal city marathon after Corona, great day in Lübeck, cold but clear skies and no rain or wind. Family with me. Unfortunately still in pain from the May 1st Ankle Ida Hohlweg Sprint, which had come up again due to Mozart and a South Tyrol vacation run. The first 37km were doable, after that the pain was everywhere in my legs and I was close to tears. I'm glad to have held on and am pleased that I managed to finish here after DNFing after 17km in Munich two weeks ago. Sub-4 is also okay, but I really want to get my speed up again for flat marathons in the next few months. Faster is simply more fun.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

First edition, but surprisingly well attended with 1300 registrations for various competitions. 4 hours drive, not ideal. The weather was okay, a few degrees above 0 and hazy, but hardly any wind and no rain. Fitness good again after the tendon sheath problem and the marathon around Christmas. Despite 3 kg extra I managed a pretty good time on a flat easy course. Attention: Placement and finisher includes M and W here.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

Private Escape Day: 1.5 hours' drive north, and then ran the marathon around the lake in perfect sunny weather. Beautiful area, but the lake itself was surprisingly rarely seen. Very well organized, only something salty would have helped at the stations. Met Tobi Riedel from ELK-Ultra by chance, chatted about ultras for 3km, then pushed on and finished quickly. Just 1 week after the tough Hamburg Everest, where I covered 82km in 36 hours with over 6000 meters of elevation gain. It must have helped!

To complete the 12 marathons this year I’ve set as a personal challenge, I found this super small one organized by the 100 Marathon Club in Öjendorf. With a bit of luck, I got accepted into the race just four days ahead even though it was fully booked. Someone had dropped out on short notice apparently. The December weather wasn’t great, but could have been worse. Overcast with 5°C during most of it. No rain or snow fall, not much wind. Despite partying with gin and whiskey the night before and little Ida crying during the night (for unrelated reasons, fortunately), I got away with a very good result. The race is held several times a year and I’ll be sure to come back some day!

(Machine translated using DeepL)

The first repeat of my EU marathons, mainly because it was so nice and some friends had announced their attendance. But in the end only Mike, with whom I've been writing emails for years, ran because he also runs the 28 EU capitals. We did the first 20km together, then it got too hot for him (23 degrees) and he slowed down. Sophie and the kids were there, had found a nice apartment for 4 days and had a great short vacation once again. We finished very happy, not fast, but without sore muscles!

(Machine translated using DeepL)

Finally the Hamburg Marathon again. I always look forward to it because the course is so beautiful and I don't have to travel, but can normally take a relatively relaxed approach from my everyday life. The weather was perfect, from 12 to 19 degrees with sunshine during the race. Saw some friends and acquaintances, great atmosphere. Sophie and children with us on the half-moon route and even at the finish! I was very happy, it was a good day and a nice run with increased fitness.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

I heard about the Föhr Marathon at the beginning of the year and was reminded of my childhood vacations. It was already clear that we had to go there. It was a very cozy weekend in a small apartment in the middle of Wyk with Sophie and the children, albeit in bad weather. The marathon went great, the weather was okay, not particularly good, but no rain and hardly any wind. I was particularly pleased that I was able to run very steadily without any walking breaks and at a constant pace after the setbacks I had suffered in recent months.

(Machine translated using DeepL)

The ultra in preparation was probably just right, it went great, without any major problems. The last few kilometers are always a bit difficult, but I was able to keep up the pace well. Unfortunately the weather was crap, very cold and there were always showers in between, even heavy hail at the start. Sophie and kids 3 times on the course anyway, really good. New PB (~5min under), almost reached Vadder's PB (3:23)