Thiago Kawamura Sets Personal Best at the Berlin Marathon
Clocking 3:53:47, the host shared his travel highlights, race-day strategy, and the emotion of the final stretch.
Thiago Kawamura achieved a new personal best at the Berlin Marathon, completing the 42 km course in 3:53:47. In a detailed recap, he shared insights on race logistics, hydration challenges, and the massive Brazilian turnout in the German capital.
The Berlin Marathon was the stage for a major personal achievement for the Radar Stemma team. Thiago Kawamura crossed the finish line in the German capital clocking 3:53:47, setting a new personal best over the 42 km distance. Beyond the medal, the experience provided an in-depth look into the event's organization and race-day atmosphere.
Logistics, bib pickup, and pre-race anticipation
The routine on German soil kicked off the Friday before the race. On Saturday, the schedule included a meet-up with coach Marcos Paulo, a brief sightseeing walk around the Brandenburg Gate, and bib pickup. The standard race packet included unusual items such as protein-packed pasta and penne, while commemorative apparel and official jackets were available for purchase at the expo.
On Sunday morning, getting to the start area was straightforward: staying about 2 km from downtown, Thiago walked to the 9:05 AM start. Contrary to advance warnings about overcrowding, the race start along the wide avenue near the Victory Column (Siegessäule) went smoothly with plenty of room to run.
Hydration and pacing strategy across the 42 km
A common challenge for runners in Berlin is the hydration served in rigid, open plastic cups. While the format makes drinking tricky at high speeds, the solution was to pause briefly next to the aid stations, drink the water, and use the rest to cool down.
The race began smoothly over the first 5 km, with support from Bruno Vicari at km 2.5. From the half marathon mark onward, muscular fatigue began to build, requiring pace adjustments: the opening pace of 5:15/km gradually shifted to 5:20 and 5:25. At km 35, encouragement from the Marcos Paulo team provided a second wind for the final stretch as temperatures began to rise slightly.
Passing the Brandenburg Gate and Brazilian celebrations
In the final kilometers, the sight of the imposing Brandenburg Gate signaled the start of the celebration. Crossing beneath the monument holding the Brazilian flag and turning onto the iconic blue carpet over the final 400 meters, the official clock confirmed the coveted personal record.
This edition was also notable for the strong presence of Brazilian runners: 1,888 Brazilians crossed the finish line, making Brazil the fourth-largest delegation in the race, trailing only Germany, the United States, and Great Britain. Among elite athletes, the standout Brazilian was Paulo Paula, who at 47 years old completed the course in an impressive 2:12:07, finishing just three minutes shy of the master 45+ world record.