Road to Berlin Marathon #1 - Why Run a Marathon? - Voices from our community

The countdown is on: Berlin Marathon is just around the corner, and we're kicking off something special to help you get there. We have caught up with some of the finishers of the previous editions, who talked about why running a marathon and how it felt to cross the finish line.

Why did you decide to sign up for the Berlin Marathon?

Mariona (@marywave_runner): Here’s the funny part: I never actually signed up for the Berlin Marathon. My first marathon happened completely by chance—thanks to a raffle.

In June 2024, I joined a giveaway organized by NORQAIN (one of the official sponsors) on Strava. Somehow, I ended up being one of the lucky winners. The prize? A full marathon weekend experience sponsored by NORQAIN—flights, hotel, meals, loads of merch, and some very fun photo ops.

I couldn’t believe it. And honestly, I didn’t hesitate for a second. Running the Berlin Marathon had never been part of my 2024 goals. In fact, I had just completed my very first half marathon in April, and I was planning to take things slow. But when an opportunity like this lands in your lap… how do you say no?

Looking back, I’m incredibly proud I took on the challenge. It might not have been planned, but it was unforgettable.

Edi (@edi.urbanek): I decided to enter the Berlin Marathon because I thought it was an amazing opportunity to take the next step in my running journey. The fact that it was the 50th Berlin Marathon really excited me, and of course, it’s a kind of local race for me because of the people and friends I’ve met here. Running through the streets of a historic city like Berlin was also a thrilling prospect.

Saskia (@sassinella): I wanted to see, that I am able to run 42 kilometers. It was my first marathon after starting running seriously in 2021. I moved to Berlin in 2022 and soon got in love with this city. Running in my new hometown felt like an honor.

Karla (@karlatorralba): Since I moved to Berlin, I have seen how running moves the city and how people go to the streets to support the runners. So in 2023, when I was already running more and being part of running clubs in Berlin, I saw this happy environment closer ,and felt so energised by it that I told everyone that I would try a spot via lottery for 2024. It ended up that I got a spot. Lucky me!!! The best thing in my running journey so far.

Melissa (@melissaanddixon): My first marathon was the original, Athens! And, as soon as it was over, I'd caught the marathon bug! I set my eyes on Berlin because it's iconic, a world major, and in one of the coolest cities in the world.

Marjorie (@marjorie_simon13): Berlin is the city I chose to call home, and running the marathon here every year just feels right. It’s a big advantage to race where you live—no jet lag, easy logistics, and it fits naturally into your day-to-day life. I also love training in the summer and the marathon takes place end of September. But Berlin is more than convenient. It’s iconic. The course is fast and flat, the energy from the crowds is electric, and running down Straße des 17. Juni around the Siegessäule is always a grand moment. For the Adidas Runners community I run with, Berlin is the highlight of the season.

Mario (@mariomlth): I decided to run the Berlin marathon after I finished the Berlin Half. For me, it is super interesting to see what we and our bodies are capable of, where our limits are and how far we can push our limits. After finishing I signed up for this year's edition to run a sub 3h.

Camille (@camille.chrlr): I decided to sign up for the Berlin marathon because I really wanted to run this specific distance in my ‘adopted’ home city, Berlin. I’ve been living here for 9 years and love this city so much. Running is one of the many things that allowed me to connect to Berlin even more, discovering so many new corners, meeting new people, and really soaking in its vibes running through the streets and parks. Fun fact, a few years ago, I met an older man who told me what it was like for him to live in east Berlin before the reunification. He explained to me that since the fall of the wall, he’s been running the Berlin marathon almost every year just to have that feeling of crossing the Brandenburger Tor. I lost contact with him, and don’t know if the story is true, but I choose to believe it. I thought about it a lot when running last year!

Alexandra (@kuekenalex): Well, after running my First Halfmarathon in Berlin, I decided that I also wanted to run my first Marathon in Berlin. That was in 2018. Berlin is my home city since I moved to it in 1997. and since a lot of my family and friends live here who also are a lot of support for me and also cheer at me - which is super important when running your first marathon - it was clear that Berlin is the place for my first marathon. And that is also the reason why I ran again in Berlin. Only here, in my home city , I have the most cheering support and friends and family supporting me.

Giuseppe (@giuseppecasalino): I decided to participate in my first marathon to see if my body at the age of 40 was still capable of surprising me, and it did!

Igor (@simplizigor): I decided to sign up for the marathon to see how far I could push my body and prove to myself what I was capable of.

How did crossing the finish line make you feel?

Mariona (@marywave_runner): I started training in June after finding out I had won the raffle. But in early August, I got injured. The farthest I had run during training was 25km—at an event in Tiergarten organized by Björn (an On coach) and Lena, just two days before my birthday. Five days later, I was limping into Charité and was diagnosed with inflammation in the greater trochanter of the femur. That was the beginning of a long injury journey.

Back from my vacation in September, I was still in pain. A doctor offered me a cortisone shot and strongly advised me not to run the marathon. I’m not proud of what I did next.

I decided to run anyway—just a few kilometers, I told myself, to enjoy the experience with the NORQAIN team. I didn’t even pack gels. But after the first 5k, I felt surprisingly good… so I kept going. I passed 10k, 21k, and then 25k—just fueling on bananas. Somewhere past halfway, I made a reckless decision: I would finish the race. And I did. The run was pain-free until I hit the wall hard at km 33, but mentally, I felt unstoppable. Crossing that finish line gave me a true runner’s high—adrenaline, joy, disbelief. It was incredible.

But then came a call from home—and a wave of guilt and self-dissappointment. I realized how much I had risked my health. I hadn’t been brave; I’d been lucky. And tempting luck isn’t something to be proud of. Some of my friends have ended up in surgery or the hospital after similar choices. I was fortunate this time—but I regret ignoring medical advice. This experience taught me that no race is worth compromising your long-term health.

Edi (@edi.urbanek): At first, it was a relief, and then, of course, you realize what you’ve achieved, and you feel really happy. But, in my case, you’re also in a bit of pain with your legs, which increases afterward. However, at the exact moment you cross the finish line, I’d say it’s just pure emotions.

I’d also like to add that I would recommend to everyone running their first marathon to enjoy it and not to race it 100%. That’s what I did last year, and I think it was the right decision because I really enjoyed the course, the atmosphere, and the people. In my opinion, you shouldn’t suffer through the whole race when it’s your first marathon; prioritize the experience.

Saskia (@sassinella): When crossing the finish line I began to cry. It was such an emotional moment! Already 10 minutes later I decided, that this wouldn‘t be my last marathon.

Karla (@karlatorralba): It was a mix of feelings and all of them were very good. I felt like crying, screaming, jumping (although it was hard after 42km). I felt so strong and capable of anything!!! Seeing my friends and people supporting along the way was amazing as well. My love for running got bigger!

Melissa (@melissaanddixon): Running that marathon was a very personal victory for me as I was less than one year postpartum, but reaching the finish line made me feel like a million bucks and I couldn't wait to sign up for the next edition. And, the one after that! I've since moved to Berlin to take full advantage of all the cool races this city has to offer. Bring on Berlin Marathon #3 in 2025! Berlin Marathon 2025 will also be my 10th marathon, so that's another big milestone!

Marjorie (@marjorie_simon13): Every time I turn onto Pariser Platz and pass from East to West under the Brandenburg Gate, it’s emotional. Reaching the blue carpet and crossing that finish line feels like a huge achievement—every single time. I feel uplifted, happy, and ready to celebrate with the community.

Mario (@mariomlth): The finish line feelings are always super emotional. It’s a mix of tearing up while being super proud of what I archived, thinking about all the training blocks, early mornings and late evenings. It’s just one of the greatest feelings ever

Camille (@camille.chrlr): I felt amazing crossing the finish line. For me, it really felt like a full circle moment, connecting my passion for running with my deep love for Berlin. The conditions were also pretty amazing: perfect temperatures, amazing crowd, a bit of sun I stayed for 1-2 more hours after the finish just to cheer for other runners and really loved the atmosphere

Alexandra (@kuekenalex): First time crossing the finish line in Berlin, was awesome. I had a really big runner’s high and so much emotions in me (happyness, relief, thankfulness) that I cried . And I really was proud of myself of finishing a marathon. And still now, after already finishing a lot of more marathons, I always cry when crossing the finish line after a marathon. Giuseppe (@giuseppecasalino): Showing up at the start was immense gratitude for me, running 42km in the city where I live was emotional and crossing the finish line brought tears to my eyes

Igor (@simplizigor): The first thought after crossing the finish line was that the pain was over – that was all I had been fighting for, haha. But the next thought was that I felt like I could do anything in the world.

Final Remarks and Acknowledgements

The reasons people run marathons are as diverse as the runners themselves—some do it for the challenge, others for healing, clarity, or community. Whatever your “why” is, it's valid—and it’s powerful enough to carry you through 42.195 km. Thanks to all the members of the Berlin running community who shared the experience.

Photos taken by NORQAIN, mitchproductions.ch

What's Next?

Over the next few weeks, we’ll help you build a solid training foundation and guide you step by step toward the start line. Same time next Sunday—we'll drop the official 16-week training plan to get you started.

Got a marathon story to tell? We’d love to feature you! DM us @RunningFOMO or email us at team.runningfomo@gmail.com.

Let the journey begin 🏃‍♀️🔥

#RoadToBerlinMarathon