ROAD TO BERLIN
12 weeks to the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and we're running with you!
Every week, a new challenge tied directly to your training plan drops on our Instagram channel, TikTok and on this Website! Three plattforms, same content.
And on top: Every two weeks, our host Laura breaks down what's actually going on in your body and your head in "Running the Facts Marathon Edition", so you're ready when race day comes.
Wanna join in?
Tag us on Instagram when you finish a challenge and use #roadtoberlin. Reposts and special prizes are waiting for those who show up!
Phase 1: Start Your Journey
Phase 1 is all about getting started and commiting to the challenge(s) ahead.
Challenge 1: Community Run
The first #roadtoberlin challenge is simple: don’t run alone.
Find someone to suffer with and, more importantly, celebrate the start of marathon training with. Makes it way less scary too, promise!
Here's how to join the challenge:
- Run together!
- Share your pic or video (on Instagram)
- Use #roadtoberlin
Running the Facts 1: How is a marathon training plan structured, and why?
Pinky promise?
Once your health is all checked, it’s time to get the marathon training going! Remember: This is where PRs are made!
Running the Facts Marathon Edition EP01
Easy runs, tempo runs, long runs – What's the difference and when do you use them? EP01 breaks it down!
Sources:
- S1: SCC EVENTS GmbH. “PAPS-Test: Persönlicher Aktivitäts- und Präventions-Screening-Test.”
- S2: Seiler, S. (2016). Seiler's hierarchy of endurance training needs
- S3: Casado, Arturo, Carl Foster, Marius Bakken, and Leif Inge Tjelta. "Does Lactate-Guided Threshold Interval Training within a High-Volume Low-Intensity Approach Represent the 'Next Step' in the Evolution of Distance Running Training?" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 5 (2023): 3782
- S4: Billat, V.L. (2001): "Interval Training for Performance." Sports Medicine
Challenge 2: Gait Analysis
Not all marathon prep is done on the track! Finding the right shoe is just as important as getting the miles in.
Share what you will be wearing at BMW BERLIN-MARATHON using #roadtoberlin
Phase 2: Run Your Berlin
In Phase 2 we're talking long runs among other things. Stay on track and stay tuned!
Challenge 3: Favourite Long Run Spot
Struggeling to keep going on longer runs? Try this!
Marathon training often means running further than ever before and that can be very scary!
The best trick to distract yourself is to run somewhere new. Somewhere you can see new things and find new paths. This week’s challenge: find a route you’ve never done before and take us with you using
Running the Facts 2: Is running enough to prepare?
Never skip leg day.
Running the Facts Marathon Edition EP02.
Strength training ain’t just for Hyrox athletes. Even if you consider yourself a pure endurance athlete, strength training will help you get faster and stay free from injuries.
Sources:
- S1: Van Mechelen, W. (1992). Running Injuries. Sports Medicine, 14(5), 320–335
- S2: Lauersen, J.B. et al. (2018) — Strength training as superior, dose-dependent and safe prevention of acute and overuse sports injuries. British Journal of Sports Medicine
- S3: Woods, K. et al. (2007) — Warm-up and stretching in the prevention of muscular injury. Sports Medicine.
Challenge 4: Strength
Your fastest mile might not be built on the track. Strength training and running go hand in hand, so show us what your workout looks like this week.
Phase 3: City Night 10K
What's even better than a 10K? A good nights sleep!
Stay tuned and find out why in Phase 3.
Challenge 5: 10k Race
Good News: If you ran the 10k at the adidas Runners City Night you already completed this weeks challenge.
And if not: get to it!
Running the Facts 3: Should I run a (10k) race as part of my marathon training?
A 10k race is not for the weak.
Running the Facts Marathon Edition EP03.
Your 10k pace is one of the best predictors of your marathon finishing time and right now is the perfect window to test it, if you’re in the middle of training for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
Sources:
- S1: Hänsel, A. — SCC EVENTS / BMW Berlin Marathon. “Realistic Marathon Times: the 10K Test as a Benchmark two Months before Race Day”
- S2: Riegel PS (1981): "Athletic Records and Human Endurance", American Scientist
- S3: Springer Nature (2026) — “Anaerobic and Aerobic Energy System Contribution During Maximal Exercise: A Systematic Review”
Challenge 6: Track your sleep
Turns out the fastest runners also have pretty boring bedtimes.
Sleep is one of the most underrated tools in marathon training and tracking it is the first step to actually using it. So this week we challenge you to track your sleep and don't snooze on using #roadtoberlin in your posts.
Phase 4: Build your Engine
The marathon gets closer and we are turning up the volume.
Challenge 7: Longest Training Run
Lots of marathoners dread this week's long run, but it actually is a great opportunity to test your gear and nutrition for the big day.
Your challenge is to keep pushing through the longest run in your plan and share it with #roadtoberlin.
