KRUSE PBS AT MÜNSTER MARATHON

Contributed by Nicole Kruse, AURA member

Münster Marathon, Germany
42.2km, 8 September 2019

On September 8 (Sunday), I started in the marathon in my hometown Münster, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It’s now part of my yearly visit to the country.

It was the second time I entered this event which consists of a full marathon, a four-runner relay and a 1.5km kids marathon.

I got up on race day to get ready for the run not sure what time to aim for as training was a bit hit and miss but I definitely wanted to better my time from the previous year (4:57:31).

Once I got to the start it was full of runners and excitement with music playing and cheerleaders to entertain the participants and spectators while everyone waited for the start gun to go off at 9am.

In total there were about 8500 runners with around 2200 runners doing the marathon and an expected 100,000 spectators. 

We set off running to a famous German song called ‘Tage Wie Diese’ (Days Like These) and I was feeling a bit emotional walking to the start line. I waved one more time to my parents and off we went!

First we looped about 10km through the city centre with lots of spectators supporting us on the way before heading out into the countryside but even in the more remote areas were spectators cheering on the runners, with lots of people putting up table and chairs with drinks and nibbles and making a little event out of it. Names on the race bibs ensured strangers calling your name and cheering you on no matter if you were in the front or back of the pack. 

We ran through several villages and in every village there was a stage with a band and someone announcing the runners over a microphone.

The whole course was lined with bands and performers, singing, drumming and dancing.

All went well for me but at the 10km mark I felt I was going too fast so I slowed to ensure I’d be able to finish the run. 

I passed the half marathon mark in 2h 7mins and was still in reasonable shape.

As the relay runners changed every 10km there was always someone passing you on fresh legs to keep you going.

I also enjoyed the little signs which were at most kilometre markers. I can’t remember them all but some said ‘If marathon running were easy everyone would do it.’. At the 23km marker one said said ‘No point turning back now’ and I think it was at the 39km mark where another read ‘Your legs carried you so far they will get you to the finish too.’

At around 40km we entered again the city centre where the streets were lined with lots of people which made me feel a bit like a celebrity. After one final turn the finish stretch appeared and it was very special to run down the red carpet towards the finish line in front of all the spectators who competed with the music to see who was the loudest. 

After getting my medal and having a refreshing non-alcoholic beer, I was very pleased to find out that I bettered last year’s time by over 20 minutes to finish in 4:35:13.

Pictured: AURA member Nicole Kruse at the 2019 Münster Marathon. Photograph – Supplied.