Part 3: The first stage on the way to the BMW BERLIN MARATHON has been completed.

Niels and Milan talk about their experiences at the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON

^{Niels and Milan shortly after collecting their race numbers in front of Messe Berlin. ©SCC EVENTS // Maximilian Bodenstab}

Niels Struckmeyer and Milan Panthel have cleared the first hurdle on the way to their big goal. They ran the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON at the beginning of April. In the following interview, they talk about their impressions of the EXPO, the preparation for the race, the race itself and the outlook for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.

The half marathon started for you on Friday with a visit to the EXPO, how did you find the EXPO this year?

Niels: The EXPO was well organised again and we got to the fair quickly without long waiting times. So many people from all over the world were really energised by the race. The marathon weekend definitely got off to a good start for us here on Friday. However, Tempelhof is always home to us and the old airport has a bit more charm than Messe Berlin.

^{Here is the start: Niels shows Milan her starting wave ©SCC EVENTS // Maximilian Bodenstab}

How was the day before the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON?

Milan: On Saturday, the Berlin Braves' big party for the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON started here in Kreuzberg. At 10:00 a.m., over 300 people went to the Shake Out Run in the Hasenheide. In the evening, we celebrated with our own pasta party and 40 Braves all loaded up on carbohydrates. Then we went to bed relatively early. It was great to get together with almost all of our runners again that evening.

Let's move on to the race Sunday: What is your overall impression of the day?

Milan: Berlin delivered once again. There was a great atmosphere on the streets and the weather also played along. We were a bit worried that it would be too cold. After the start, the conditions were perfect for us.

How was your race? Were you able to achieve your goals?

Niels: We got to the start block a bit late and would have liked to have started a bit further forward. Our race was really good. We wanted to beat our time from Copenhagen and managed to do so by 2 minutes. We finished almost at the same time with 1:27 hours. Milan was a bit faster again in the last few metres and I was happy to admit defeat. Apart from that, we ran shoulder to shoulder until shortly before the finish.

^{Slightly exhausted, but still overjoyed. The father-son duo at the finish line. ©SCC EVENTS // Maximilian Bodenstab}

Was it a different feeling at the start, knowing that you would be running the big BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in six months' time?

Niels: At the start, we were actually fully focused on the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON, both mentally and physically.

Milan: Shortly after the finish I realised that I still have a long way to go before the BMW BERLIN MARATHON. But I'm looking forward to it.

^{Niels and Milan pose with their medal ©SCC EVENTS // Niels Struckmeyer}

What else was on the programme after running the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON?

Afterwards, we went to the fan zone and celebrated with the Braves. Then we went home and I (Niels) put my feet up and relaxed. I (Milan) went out partying with a few friends. Before that we had a slide of burgers.

You can read the first part of the blog series here

You can read the second part of the blog series here