FLRC in Bavaria

I had the pleasure of running an enjoyable half-marathon on September 24th in Ammerndorf, Bavaria, Germany. I was scheduled to go to Germany for business so I spent some time online searching for a race to run when I got there. Thanks to the wonder of the Internet, (I'm from the print generation, so I'm usually amazed at how easy it is to get info online) I was able to find the Biberttal Marathon und Halbmarathon in Ammerndorf, a small town about 15 miles from Nuremberg. It took me a while to locate the town, but Expedia (and a friend) came to my rescue. Now a problem-- the web site was in German. I sent a message explaining my lack of language skills. The race contact person, Udo Massi, was kind enough to reply with a translation of the race information and to tell me that race day registration was possible at a small extra cost. Races are apparently no different in Germany then here, often swamped with late entries.

I arrived in Frankfurt on Friday and headed to my hotel in Zirndorf, near Nuremberg. I made a stop on the way at Rothenburg o.d.t., a kind of Williamsburg of Old Germany (walled city, quaint and historic houses and shops with loads of tourists, me included). Saturday I went to Nuremberg, a lively, scenic place with a great open-air market in the central square.

Sunday found me at the start of the race. I chose the half-marathon because of travel and then work the next day, even though I really wanted the marathon (I think). I almost got it, in a way, since I had the wrong color number: yellow for the marathon instead of white for the half. A quick adjustment at the sign-up table (thank goodness English is widely spoken in Germany!) and I had my new number. I was still pinning it on when the race started. The half-marathon had 308 runners and the marathon 146. I heard from Udo later that there were 250 race day entries. I guess more "incentive" is needed to persuade early registration. Sounds again like FLRC runs.

The weather was like this year's Wineglass Marathon, foggy and cool at the start with the sun quickly appearing and driving temperatures into the 60s. The course consisted mostly of hard-packed dirt on a flat track running from town to town west of Ammerndorf. The footing was great and reminded me of the North Central Trail Marathon in Maryland but the course itself runs much closer to roads than NCTM. Spectators, concentrated mostly in the small towns along the way, were very supportive with clapping, cheering and loud noisemakers. It seemed like there were whole families out to watch the runners, kind of a nice way to spend Sunday morning. Aid stations with water, energy drink and fruit were well spaced and well staffed.

As for my run, I set a goal of running under 1:40, and I just got it. That's my best in a few years, so I felt pretty sporty, no jet lag for me. The finish line was lively with a drummer beating time for the runners and Manfred Falk with his mike calling out numbers and names and talking to finishers. He asked me how I liked the race and my time. I said I was happy with both. I hope the crowd understood my comments.

After-race festivities included the usual drinks and food, bananas and apples on the healthy side, racks of delicious pastries for a touch of decadence (an add for FLRC races?). I did spot one runner in his race tee shirt smoking a cigarette after the run, not a sight one sees around here. A lot of people stuck around after the race to watch the marathoners finish and generally hang out. I could have spent more of my day there, but I had to drive to Wiesbaden, so I headed on my way.

All in all, the Biberttal half-marathon was a great event, low-key and exciting at the same time. I would have liked some hills, but then I probably would have cursed them if they were there. I found out after I got back home, that three separate running clubs cooperated to co-direct the race. I am impressed even more at the excellent organization given the integration of the three groups.

I am glad I got to run the race and to meet the organizers. If I get back to Germany at the same time next year, I'll head to Ammerndorf, maybe for the marathon. In any case, I'll register ahead of time. Thanks to the race organizers for putting on a great event. Here's a link to the race web site that includes some good photos from the race:

http://www.svgrosshabersdorf.de/navigation/index.html?main.html,navigation.html (Click on the Biberttal Marathon icon)

-- David Weiss