Berlin - Day 2

Saturday morning - we awoke to grey East German skies. I say "we". By now, my brother had joined me in Berlin as I was here for the Marathon. The grey skies were something of a relief for me, as I hoped that the weather would cool off from Friday's sunny warmth. We went out early, on our way to Charlottenburg and its palace, where Rich was taking my place in the 6km Breakfast Run. From right in front of Schloss Charlottenburg, the course made its 6km way to the Olympic Stadium, home of the Games in 1936.

Berlin's Olympic Stadium

Rich and I arrived at a similar time, and I spotted him down on the blue track and went to meet him. We climbed the steps, pausing to take in a view of the 70,000 seater stadium. Moving to the outside of the beautiful venue, we went to the "Marathon Gate", an opening at the end of the stadium that provided the link between the stadium and the parade ground, where Hitler presided over the opening ceremony.

As 10,000 runners made their way back the city, we endured a stifling, sweaty train ride to Potsdamerplatz. The fresh air was welcome as we emerged from the U-bahn and began to walk the 850m or so to the Brandenburg Gate. Passing some pieces of the Wall - which are dotted around various locations in the city - our next stop of significance was the Holocaust Memorial. Certainly, a stop of real significance.

Holocaust Memorial

Here, large grey blocks of concrete rise up in regimented rows, but at different heights, marking the colossal number of lives stolen by Hitler's Third Reich. While this is the memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and the 6 million Jewish lives lost is always the headline figure that catches the attention, the area also pays tribute to those who were persecuted for their sexual orientation. Thinking of those - black, Jewish, homosexual - who didnt' fit the blond-haired, blue eyed ideal of the Aryan Race, made me cast my mind back to the Olympic Stadium, where under the Fuhrer's gaze, Jesse Owens showed just how 'inferior' his race was by winning 3 gold medals.

Onward, we went to the Brandenburg Gate, and my first glimpse of the business end of the marathon course. The Gate itself is a majestic construction that has defined this area of the city since 1791. It took on additional significance for me that weekend, as it signalled 400m to go to the finish, and point at which I hoped to still have enough left to mount a sprint finish.

The Brandenburg Gate

We stopped here for lunch - my first bratwurst and some curiously curry flavoured ketchup, then set off back to the hotel, via Checkpoint Charlie.

That evening, Rich and I left the hotel to make a short journey to Ostbahnhof and the East Side Gallery. This is a 1.3km stretch of the Wall that remains in situ, following re-unification. In 1989, various international artists were invited to paint their message to the world on the grey concrete canvas. Following restoration in 2009 on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall, it still provides a vibrant display of outdoor artwork.

Selections from the East Side Gallery

 To get back, we boarded the train to Spandau, a trip that could have ended quite differently had we done the same thing between 1939-45. With relief, we were let off at Alexanderplatz, where we made for the Ristorante Linosa. It was busy. The owner must love the Saturday night before the marathon. Other restaurants around the Alex were comparatively empty, while this one burst at the seams with pasta-guzzling marathon hopefuls.

Bread, a huge bowl of pasta and 2 slices of pizza later, I was ready for rolling back to the hotel, as my legs were already feeling carb-heavy. Sleep - and the anticipation of a good day ahead tomorrow.