What happened?

The day arrived clear and bright as we made our way across the city towards the start. German efficiency was in full working order that morning - seeing how a city copes with a marathon is always interesting and unsurprisingly the Metro was fast, punctual and very effective. This was my first time in Germany and the thing that struck me most was how well organised everything was. The starting area near the Reichstag was a huge open space that easily accommodated the tens of thousands of participants - there was never any confusion as to which way to go...just follow everyone else!

Music was to be a feature of the course and at the start is was no different. In our suitably German themed bras we had all the usual attention and more! The temperature started to climb and then we were off!The course is known as a 'fast' one - not because you have to be fast but because it is straight and the roads are wide and smooth. The first half flew by but the temperature still kept on climbing until we were walking in the high 20's - perfect. With plenty of water stops along the route, millions of supporters and bands every few miles (or rather kilometres) our spirits were kept high.

The Brandenburg gate appeared in the distance and we couldn't believe that we were going to walk underneath it to the finish line! Cheered on by the thousands of people who lined the last half mile we powered our way to our well earned medals. It was a hot but exciting day and the best bit...catching a bike taxi back to the hotel!