Location (Start/End): Auf der Mainspitze in Ginsheim-Gustavsburg, Hesse

Race Description

The Mainzer Maaraue Marathon (MMM) is a charity event. All income and donations go to a non-profit association or similar.

The race is developed over a circular route (about 9,3 km) from the start and finish in Gustavsburg over the Maaraue, the Theodor-Heuss-Brücke, the Mainz bank of the Rhine and eventually back over the south bridge to the start/finish.

The route allows to run through three cities (Ginsheim-Gustavsburg, Wiesbaden, Mainz), two regions (Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate), and four bridges over two rivers (three times over the Rhine, one time over the Main).

The route has to be repeated five times in order to reach the minimum distance for an Ultra (45 km), according to DUV standards.

The 2020 race is a virtual edition because of the COVID-19 pandemic and could be run between November 1st until December 19th. The runners can decide when they want to run, and they can also decide to either completely in one stage (5 laps) or in more stages (but then always at least 1 lap).

Although running flat and on the road is not my favourite terrain, I decided to take part this year for the charity purpose and for the chance to spend a few hours chatting with some friends along the route.

Since I wanted to test shoes and nutrition for a marathon in 2021, I decided to run it in a single stage without a specific (or at all) preparation for this type of races.

I must say that the company of friends (Benny, Carlo and Stephan) made me really happy and entertained.

Race Information

Official website: M M M – Home (weebly.com)

Official route: MMM2020 – “Die kleine 9er-Runde” | Lauf | Komoot

Distance: 46,4 km

Cumulative Gain +: 180 m

Cumulative Loss -: 180 m

Max Altitude: 100 m

Start Date: 05/12/2020

Start Time: 11:40 a.m.

Cost: 23 € (0,5 €/km)

Air Temperature (average): 11°C

Weather Conditions: Cloudy and Windy for 3 km/lap

Dominant Ground: terrain (30%) and paved road (70%)

Ground Status: dry

Technical Difficulties: none

Refreshment Points: none for me (during the weekend the organizers (very nice) usually are there between 8 and 12 p.m. and offer food and drinks)

Race Results

Official Results: Mainzer Maaraue Marathon 2020 virtuell (MMM2020v), 01.11.2020-19.12.2020 : : my.race|result

Personal Effective Time: 3h53’08”

Personal Total Time: 3h54’26”

Personal GPS tracks:

• Suunto: https://www.suunto.com/move/andreadefilippo70/5fcbac6d8807f6693f56c65f
• Strava: https://strava.app.link/wz54wZpFYbb 

Personal Registration Team: Emigrantrailer

Race Equipment

Shoes Type: Saucony Endorphine Pro (Size: UK 8,5 / EU 43; Color: White) (Note: positive feelings; no issues during and after the run)

Shoes km at the start: 99 km

Anklet: not used

Socks: Thyo Special Trail (Size: 41-43; Color: Black/Blue)

T-Shirt: Kipsta long-sleeved T-shirt (Size: M; Color: White)

T-shirt: Raidlight eco technique (Size: M; Color: Blue)

Shorts: Montura knee-length pants (Size: S; Color: Dark)

Backpack: Salomon Sensifit 15 (Size: M; Color: Blue) (Note: it was basically emply, but I needed it to carry with me the water, a couple of bars and…Peppa Pig with the italian and german flag 🙂 )

Drink Equipment:

• Salomon HydraPak Soft Flask 500 ml Speed (Quantity: 2) (note: each was filled with water and half tablet of High5 Electrolyte; flavour: Berry)

Food:

• Overstim’s Energy Bar (Quantity: 2; Flavor: Almond/Banane)

Race Belt: Sports Akileine

GPS: Suunto 9

Headwear: Buff (Note: I had an additional buff to protect nose and mouth in case of crowded areas along the route)

Glasses: not taken with me

Wind/Rain Jacket: Dynafit React (note: I used it all the time due to several windy kilometers)

Others: a pair of warm gloves

Beyond the race

Even if I’m not a big fan of these flat and circuit races, I use them to test materials and nutrition, but above all to train my head, which is the key element over long distances (of course if you have already a good basic preparation for your body).

Another reason to do this type of races is that it is possible to meet other runners and maybe spend some kilomteres together. At lesat for me, this is a good exercise to train lung capacity by talking as much as possible while running. During the MMM 2020, I made the most of these situations! In fact I ran the first 6km alone, warming-up due to cold temperatures. Then I met Benny on the route and we ran together a little bit more than two laps. After 2 km still alone, I met Carlo and we ran the last two laps together. For the last lap, Stephan also joined by bike. In other words, I got to talk all the time! 🙂

Additional Information

If you want more information or technical details related to this event, in particular about the tested products, please do not hesitate to contact me or comment below.

Run & fun

Andrea De Filippo

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More articles about Trail & Running at the link: Trail & Running – Emigrantrailer | EmigranTrailer

Latest update: 30.12.2020