Eight IOWRR’s flew out to the Netherlands to participate in the Amsterdam Running Festival competing in the half and full Marathon. The majority of these runners were completing this for the second year.
The races are widely regarded as some of the most scenic road-running in Europe and the Amsterdam Marathon course begins and ends in the Olympic Stadium in front of a packed grandstand.
The stadium is a historic site, having been constructed for the 1928 Olympic Games. A significant portion of the 26.2-mile route is run alongside the Amstel river. The race in the Dutch capital takes in a number of the city’s most beautiful and recognisable areas.
The runners will take in the Vondelpark both in the early stages of the race and as they close in to the finishing line.
For the Half Marathon runners the course starts at the Stadionweg and goes through Churchilllaan, Rijnstraat and the Utrechtse Bridge over the Amstel river. You then run through Watergraafsmeer and Zeeburg. The rest of the course continues on the same route as that of the full marathon, finishing in the Olympic Stadium.
Keith Ruth and son Michael Ruth completed the Half in a time of 02:36:00, this being a debut half marathon race for Michael, to note poor Michael was in pain from about 500m into the race with knee pain – massive well done to you both!
Kev Fry and Dave Cass achieved PB’s in the marathon distance, brilliant! With some excellent running from everyone else:
Dave Cass – 03:09:38
Kev Fry – 03:57:49
Tom Martin – 04:39:47
John Dudock – 04:43:32
Mike Berry
Kev Winchcombe – IOWRR Chairman completed the marathon, struggling through indescribable pain and adversity.
