RunningDutch Review: Amsterdam Marathon

This autumn will see the 37th edition of the Amsterdam Marathon.

The Location
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and abroad probably the most well known Dutch city. Probably for its canals, coffeshops  and red light district but also the 'Rijksmuseum' with paintings from Rembrandt and the Anne Frank House.
Important for you as reader of this blog: It is also the venue of a very popular marathon.

If you consider visiting Amsterdam to take part in the marathon you can consider to take a canal tour or a coffeeshop tour. The latter maybe after the race?

Hotels? No problem in Amsterdam as you can tell from booking.com or Expedia.

The course: Fast, scenic, historic and a brilliant finish 

Tower in front of stadium

The course is flat and therefore fast. The wind however can be tricky but later more on that topic.
The start of the marathon is in the Olympic Stadium. Originally built for the Olympic Games of 1928 but beautifully renovated in 2000 with a very good 400m track.

After 200m on this track you leave the stadium passing the tower which held the Olympic fire and, with eye for detail, measures 42 meters and 19,5 centimers. Recognise the numbers?

Find your pace on the wide road leading away from the stadium towards the 'Vondelpark' on a average Sunday crowded with people enjoying the sun, jogging around etc. Remember the scenic part of the course as you will run it again in opposite direction on your way back. You run past the Rijksmuseum and loop back to the stadium.

 The cours:

> Flat
> Fast
> Historic
> Start & Finish in Olympic Stadium

Only 7k en route you leave the stadium behind you for a second time and head for the river Amstel to run on the historic route of the Olympic marathon of 1928. You join the rive around km 12 heading south east. Around km 15 you make a small loop leaving the river clearly added to make up the distance of the 42k.

You run on along the scenic Amstel joined by boats with music and people cheering you on. You cross the river at 19 and run back on the opposite site. At my pace (5min.km) I have the opportunity to see the elite running this homeward stretch while I myself still have the outbound leg ahead of me.

It is along this river that the wind can be tricky as the route is in the open.

As for most people the true marathon starts around the 25k. It is no fun to be running for some 5k in a more industrial area with little people along the route before you come into residential area's again.

I myself find the 37k mark the difficult spot. First you head into a short tunnel in order to cross underneath a major road. Climbing out of the tunnel you continue the climb to cross the Amstel once more. Only little elevation it is enough for me. If you experience no problems enjoy the view to your right while crossing the Amstel.

After running trough the Vondelpark the second and last time you head for the stadium to finish on the very comfortable running track. Feel like the elite runners cheered on from the stands by the people in the stadium.

clikc course map for lager image

The organisation: Professional
The event is very well organised, the infrastructure around the start en finish area is ok. The drop off point for  your bag with clothes can be crowded and the dressing area is in a sport hall a couple of 100 meters from the start and finish. Nice for warming up and cooling down. On a colder October day this can mean you can get a little bit cold before you can change you wet running apparel. You'll get a thermo blanket after the finish line to stay warm.
The route (see above for more details) is free of cars and spectators, refreshing posts are with water and sports drinks at every 5k. No complaints on this front.

The entourage: OK

Coming from abroad the route can be found scenic both in and outside the city. Don't expect to run in the old city centre but do enjoy the windmill around the 15k mark.
Except for the spectators in the stadium most people along the route are either cheering on a friend or semi interested locals not really making it an effort to be to enthusiastic.

For the spectators
As you might know cycling is very popular in the Netherlands so consider renting a bike and you can cheer on you friend, husband, wife, father, mother, etc a couple of times along the route. Using the metro you can do the same. Start for example in the stadium, than wait outside for the runners to come by after the 7K loop. take the metro to f.e. the 30K mark which is very close to a metro stop. This will give you plenty of time to go back to the stadium to see the finish of your .......(fill in the appropriate reference to your runner).

The verdict
OK, Amsterdam is not one of the biggest marathons but is very popular for tourist so why not consider to combine your running exploits with a visit to Amsterdam? And maybe take home a Personal Best on the flat course.

Wanna read more on Amsterdam? Hit the Amsterdam label and see my other 3 postings on Amsterdam.

Below a Youtube slideshow which offers an impression of the 2011 edition:

RunningDutch Review: Cracovia Maraton

Last week I participated in de the 11th Cracovia Maraton. Besides offering me a nice experience for my 15th marathon it also gives me the opportunity to write a review on this event.

The City
Krakow, or Cracow, is without any doubt one of the pearls of central Europe. Rich in history it survived the havoc of the Second World War which destroyed so many other cities in Poland. The Nazis did destroy the Jewish population, first in the ghetto and than in nearby Auschwitz.
The inner city within the Planty (a green park/zone around the centre) still has its medieval street plan. To the south east of the city centre snuggled in a bend of the Wisła river is Kazimierz; The former Jewish quarter. Renovated after the film ‘Schindlers List’ created a renewed interest in this part of history.
The hordes of tourist no longer returned to the city centre after visiting the Royal Castle and Cathedral at Wavel. More and more the tourist visit Kazimierz as well. It houses some fine restaurants and the Synagogue. The National Museum in the city centre houses some famous paintings such as the da Vinci painting ‘Lady with an Ermine’.
From the city one can take trips to the famous salt mines of Wieliczka and of course Auschwitz. This link will help for more ideas.

Al this means that visiting Krakow is worth wile even without taking part in the marathon. The airport is close by and a train takes you in 20 minutes or so from the gate to the city center. Various airlines fly to and from the airport named after one of the most well known Poles: Pope John Paul the 2nd. So you should have no problem getting there from abroad. Being so popular with tourist means that the city has a large number of hotels from hostels up to 5 star quality (look here for some ideas).

Chocolate pankcake at Wedel

Besides the pasta party on the evening before the marathon there is plenty of choice as the city has a wide range of restaurants to offer. Not in the least all the restaurants on the Rynek, as the picture testifies with this delicious chocolate pancake with banana. It is served in the restaurant from the Wedel Chocolate brand, on the north side of the Rynek.

The course
The start and finish is near Błonia and the football stadium of Wisła Krakow. Not as attractive as a start in the city centre but it offers enough space for a well organised start and finish area. The start is divided in into zones regarding you expected finish time but it is managed by ‘self regulation’. So if you want to start at the front of the pack (this year 4000+ runners) just make sure you are at the right spot.

The first few K is a loop around the big field of Błonia (where Pope John Paul 2nd held masses in 1979, 1983, 1987, 1997 and 2002 of which the first 3 were still under communist rule). So your supporters have the chance to see you twice. Once during the start and second after this first loop.

Then you head for the city centre which is by far the most attractive part of the course. Besides the first 2 or 3 k around Błonia the route is over wide roads so no risks of congestion. The part of the course through the city centre is one of the finest I have run so far. After approximately 6K you turn into the Rynek (or Market Square) with Sukiennice (the Reniassance Cloth Hall, Drapers' Hall, more on Wikipedia).

You cross the square on the western side and head towards the north site of the old town and run a short stretch through the green park around the centre (Planty) before your turn back into the city centre going through ‘Brama Florianska’ into ‘Ulica Florianska’, the famous Florianska Gate and Street, running towards Kosciol Mariacki back onto the Rynek. This time you cross the Rynek in on the eastern side before turning into Grodzka, towards Wavel, the Royal Castle on the banks of the Wisła , or Vistula river.

I realy enjoyed this part of the run even though I was already feeling the effect of the rather warm spring sun. In spite of the early start at 9:30 temperatures were close to 20 degrees Celsius which, in this city environment is warm to say the least. After a short loop back into the old town just outside the Planty you cross the river to the south bank. You run up and down on of the major roads and then along the river for a small stretch offering superb views of Wavel. Next you cross the river again for the long loop into the residential area ‘Nowa Huta’.

This stretch of the track is wide asphalt road which reflects the sun and was very warm. Secondly, although the roads look rather straight and flat it is all the time slightly up or down hill making it not the easiest part of the track. After a short loop through the green suburbs you head back along the same road. A stretch of the course clearly designed to achieve the distance required for a full marathon although as residential areas go; Nowa Huta is interesting due to its history and architecture (read more on Wikipedia).

Around 34K you take a small back road and enter a cyclepath along the river for a 6K stretch along the river, around Wavelhill. Again this was a warm stretch with the spring sun reflecting of the asphalt and, although the river is on your left hand, on your right hand side is Wavel hill or trees or buildings that reflect the warmth. You leave the river at app. 40K to head back to Błonia . You can see the football stadium and it feels like you almost there but still have to loop half of the Błonia field before you can finish.

In summary: The first 10K around Błonia and into the city centre are great. From 10K to 34K offer great wide roads but most of the time with some incline. I probably would have enjoyed the stretch along the river back but by that time the warmth got the best of me.

The organisation 
The organisation is good. The expo and administration where you can pick up your number and T-shirt are small but well organised. I did not take part in the pasta party but this looked also well arranged inside the stadium. With your BIB, which contains the chip for the time registration, you’ll get also a sponge that you can use during the race. They do not hand out sponges but offer the possibility to dimple you sponge in water to refresh (more environmental friendly than handing out all these sponges at all refreshing points.

Speaking of which; There is room for improvement at the refreshing points. There was enough water and isotonic drinks but the volunteers where filling the cups using bottled water in 1,5litre or 500ml bottles. This did not allow them to fill the cups fast enough so they ended up by handing bottles to the runners that ware craving for water due to the temperatures that hit 20 degrees or more for the first time after colder weather so no one was really used to run in this temperature. I have to say that in spite of this there were more than enough refreshing points. One hotel along the route set up an extra point served by neatly dressed waitresses. Nice marketing.

Runners were allowed to park their cars in front of the stadium on showing their BIB but if the number of participant will increase the coming years (as with most popular city marathons) there won’t be enough space. However when you come from abroad I suggest you take a hotel close to the city centre. You can either walk to the start or take a cab (they are not that expensive. Near the start is a good organised baggage drop of using plastic bags and a sticker with your BIB number you get with your BIB. Afterwards one can take a shower close to the finish line. Albeit when I used it the warm water had run out in my shower block. Quite refreshing after the heat during the run;p

The verdict
Cracovia Marathon is a well organised event which sees far too little international runners taking part than it deserves. If you want to run for a fast time pick a flat course such as Rotterdam, Amsterdam or Berlin. But if you want to run 'trough history', as they claim on the medal, you can in Krakow. Maybe not a ‘must do’ as the big ones but I can definitely recommend it. It think it is even part of its charm that is not such a mass event as the big ones. So if you look for a bit smaller venue in a very nice surrounding; think Cracovia Marathon for next spring.

RunningDutch Review: Rotterdam Marathon

logo and some of the elite runners
(source site Rotterdam marathon)

Within two weeks we will see another edition of one of the fastest marathons in the world: The Rotterdam Marathon.

The Location
Rotterdam is one of the bigger cities in the Netherlands but to international standards it is a relatively modest city with over 600.000 inhabitants. It has however one of the biggest ports of Europe if not in the world. The harbour once in the hart of the city is now located well outside the city and partly on artificial land build into the North sea. One can take a boat tour to see the harbour. The boats from Spido leave from the Erasmusbrug. Close to the bridge you can also find the maritime museum. Two nice excursions to relax the day before the marathon?

The city heart itself was destroyed in world war two so old parts of town are hard to find and mostly outside the centre. Instead along the river one can find modern office building. Dutch skyscrapers up to 100 meters high. It is close to Amsterdam and Schiphol airport. It has its own airport with several connection to various European cities.

The route: Fast, fast and ...eh....fast

The course map

The bridge packed with runners
shortly after the start 

The route is fast. Rotterdam ended first on the world ranking in 2009 and 2010 and the fastest marathon city after Berlin with its world record. The start and finish is in the heart of the city on the Coolsingel. A wide road leading up to the Erasmus Bridge and across the river Maas. The bridge is a modest climb and the after the wide roads leading up to the bridge somewhat narrow. Specially the turn at the other end of the bridge.

The marathon is popular. 2011 saw 24.000 participants. So even on the wide roads it can become crowded every now and then. A couple of years ago the organisation made the loop on the south bank a clockwise loop (instead of counter clockwise). Some of the less wide stretches now come after the 20k mark instead after 4 or 5k. This improved the flow a lot (I speak from personal experience on this point as I have run Rotterdam multiple times.
Another improvement is that another modest climb across the railroads which is now before the 5k mark instead of around the 20k mark.
The second time you pass the Erasmusbridge is after the 25k mark. This time you'll feel the climb probably more than the first time. After the bridge you have a twist and turn and a 'dive' trough a little tunnel heading towards the loop around the Kralingse Plas. Back towards the finish on the Coolsingel packed with spectators who will cheer you on.
Beside the bridge and the little tunnel the route is flat and packed with public. Only between 30 and 33k you are on your own as spectators are far and few between on this stretch.

It is a route laid out for record and personal bests if the weather cooperates. In 2007 the marathon was cancelled some 3 hours into the race due to the heat after several people were taken to hospital and tow received CPR. But this is an exception in April.


The organisation: Professional
The organisation of the marathon is run by Like2run also responsible for the CityPierCity run that I covered a few week ago and some smaller venues. The event is very well organised, the infrastructure around the start en finish area is OK, although dressing facilities are a couple of 100 meters away from the finish. On a colder April day this can mean you can get a little bit cold before you can change you wet running apparel. You'll get a plastic blanket after the finish line to stay warm.
The route (see above for more details) is free of cars and spectators, refreshing posts are with water and sports drinks at every 5k. No complaints on this front.


The entourage: OK

Don't run the marathon for sightseeing purposes. Beside the start and finish in the city centre and some of the architecture around the Erasmus and immediate area there are not that many interesting view.
The spectators make it definitely worth wile! Sometimes packed in rows, always cheering you on. Sometimes offering extra refreshments up to an orange or a cold beer. Realy fantastic.and according to the organization close to 1.000.000 people strong!

The verdict
OK, Rotterdam is no London, Berlin, New York, Rome or Paris as a city offering you very special views along the route. However the waterfront and some of the architecture is special. It is the very fast course and the great public that should persuade you to run Rotterdam and go for your best time ever!

Wanna read more on Rotterdam? Hit the Rotterdam label and see my otherpostings on Rotterdam.

Below a promotional film of the marathon:
   

RunningDutch Review: City-Pier-City

This posting is a review for international runners that want to participate in a major run in the Netherlands. This time a review of the half marathon City-Pier-City.

Location: The Hague
This half marathon is held every second weekend in march in the city of The Hague. A city with approximately half a million residents on the North Sea. Seat of the Dutch government and home of the royal family. Only 40 minutes from Amsterdam and its international airport Schiphol. Besides offering a great run; worth wile to visit with various tourist attractions such a museums and for example Madurodam (a collection of famous Dutch sight on a scale of 1:25). In and around the city center are some nice restaurants to make your stay attractive.

The track: Fast, Flat, Fun

Samuel Wanjiru setting a new world record in 2007

In 2007 the half marathon world record was run in The Hague. Since then the route has changed for the better. The scenic start and finish area close to the house of parliament was transferred to the ‘Malieveld’. Taking out some twist and turns. The Malieveld is a great open area close to the main railway station and only a 5 minutes’ walk from the city center. It offers enough space for all the infrastructure required to house a race with well over 30.000 participant. The route follows wide streets outside the city center, first heading off to the south west before looping back to the boulevard and Pier in Scheveningen. Due to renovation works on the boulevard you won’t actually see the pier. Be rest assure, it’s there, and skipping the boulevard makes the route faster!
From Scheveningen it is one straight line back to the finish. Thanks to the wide streets the route feels never crowded. At least for those runner at the front of the pack. Maybe it is more crowded when you are a more average runner but then again; speed, time and finding your own pace are less important. The organizations allow fast runners to start in front of the masses. Fast being: Able to show a finish time within 1h30m.

The organization: Professional
The organization of the CPC is run by Like2run also responsible for the Rotterdam Marathon and some smaller venues. The event is very well organized, the infrastructure around the start en finish area is ok, the route (see above) is free of cars and spectators, refressing posts are with water and sports drinks at every 5k. No complaints on this front.

The entourage: OK
 Along the route you will find enough spectators and music to create a nice atmosphere for the runners. Don’t expect spectators lined up three lines thick along the whole of the route but even on the least crowded stretches there are little groups of people ready to shout you on. The finish area is functional but it lacks the atmosphere of the finish on the ‘Lange Voorhout’ from a few yours back or any other finish in a city center. 

The verdict? For fast runners; worth a try!
My verdict for the CPC run for international runners? I can’t be object as I live in the Hague and the CPC was my first half marathon ever. I also ran my half marathon PB here. OK, the Hague is probably not as scenic as Lisbon (currently holding the world record being only 10 seconds faster than the CPC) but judging by the number of tourists I see the whole year round it is apparently attractive enough.

Combine this with in general good running conditions in march: 5 – 10 degrees on average and if it is windy; it usually is giving you a push the second half of the run. This gives you good a recepy for and attempt to run a personal best (PB) here. So are you looking for a weekend to combine you running exploits with some culture? Do join the CPC run!

This is a first of reviews I intend to write on some of the bigger and more international events in the Netherlands. Feel free to comment and leave your experience with the CPC. Want to read other reviews in due time. Simply click on the ‘review’ categorie.