While I've done a number of triathlons and half marathons, this was my first marathon, and I have…read moreto say I was impressed with the organization and quality of an event so large. The route is 99.9% flat. I don't actually remember any hills, but I guess you do go over some bridges a few times. That makes for a really enjoyable, easy race the entire way. While you go by a number of Hamburg landmarks, I wouldn't call the route particularly scenic. However, the amount of folks that come out to cheer you on is amazing and totally make up for that. Having had a similar experience with the Cyclassics, I'm just going to conclude that Hamburg residents know how to cheer. The last 10 kilometers are particularly amazing on that front. The organization for this event is incredibly well-planned and executed. All information is available in German and English, including the full athlete guide. The bag drop-off at the start is held in the huge Hamburg Messe, so you're protected from the elements while you wait to head out to the start line. They have aid stops at every kilometer. For a bunch of those (possibly all of them, I forget), you can also drop off your own custom bottles to be put out at the front of the aid station. That's something I've only seen at the most expensive of triathlons (I'm looking at your, IRONMAN), and even then it was only for 2 predetermined locations. They have pacers at 15-minute finish time intervals, which are a great way to reach that goal with a group of folks. Finally, the post-race athlete area is also held in the Hamburg Messe and has one of the biggest snack selections I've seen to date, from healthy to incredibly unhealthy but oh-so-good. While Erdinger Alkoholfrei is there as always, they also have a bunch of water stations for a change. Keep in mind it's a huge event (25k runners), but they do a really good job of managing that crowd. The only place it gets tight is when everyone rushes to get to the start line 15 minutes before the start. They warn folks repeatedly about that in the athlete guide, and, as long as you stay chill, you'll get to the start line just fine. If you want to be up front, then just head there earlier. I'd recommend this event to anyone interested in doing a marathon, especially if it's their first. Pro tip: check out the Mizuno tent at the expo when picking up your packet. They had custom Hamburg running shirts in 2016 that were only available at the expo.

I've done the Cyclassics twice during my 2-year stay in Hamburg: once as the 20th Vattenfall…read moreedition and the second time as the first EuroEyes edition. In both cases, I did the 155km distance (which is confusingly advertised as 160km sometimes). I don't usually do cycling races, so I don't have much to compare with there. However, I have done a bunch of triathlons and running races, here in Hamburg as well as back in the US. In terms of those, I'd put the Cyclassics in the upper-half of events. What it gets right: - The route gives you an amazing tour of Hamburg and the surrounding cities. For the southern loop, you're going through a bunch of small German villages, mostly based on agriculture. In each one, you have what seems like half the town out cheering you on, complete with full German breakfast spreads on folding tables and picnic blankets. The energy is just overall really positive. - Announcements at the start are made in German and English. You'll also notice a large number of riders from our Scandinavian neighbors to the north, especially Denmark and the Netherlands. Definitely paceline with these folks once you hit a long flat, windy stretch but they'll drop to a crawl at the faintest hill :-). - Post-race snacks are partially provided by a bakery. In 2015, that meant cake. In 2016, that meant cake, pretzels, and franzbrötchen. If they keep that rate of increase, 2017 should be amazing. - The bag drop-off and pickup is on Ballindamm away from the race start/finish. That means it's not a cluster when you reach it at the end after riding for 4.5 hours. What could use some work: - The Athlete Guide this year was only available in German. I feel like that wasn't the case in 2015, but I'm not sure. In any case, seeing how the site is in English and German, I'm not sure why they chose not to translate the guide. It's got some useful info that's not on the site. - The only beverage of choice at the end is Erdinger Alkoholfrei beer, and you only get one of those. I don't drink beer, alkoholfrei or not. If you're like me, make sure to have extra water either on your bike or in your bag. - There aren't many aid stations. I didn't need them in 2015, but I ended up with a slow leaking flat in 2016, where a full-sized pump was useful. This is mostly a nitpick, though, since I don't think folks could actually stop at more aid stations and still maintain the requisite average speed of 19mph/31kph. The first year, I registered onsite and got a starter block pretty far back. I saw a ton more crashes during the race, including some pretty serious ones. In 2016, I registered early on and got placed in block C. These folks move fast, but I also saw far less crashes. Except for a few psychos, the folks in the first few blocks know how to paceline. I'd definitely recommend registering early to get placed up front. If you're in a starter block post-D, just be careful when pacelining. Would I do this again? Absolutely. Would it be as awesome if Hamburg had one of its infamous Schietwetter days? No, no it would not.