Next Run: Brussels 42K

2012-10-07 09:00:00 GMT+01:00

Rainradar

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Monday 30 April 2012

The power of social media: over 1M pound raised after death

In last week Londons Marathon Claire Squires died in the final mile of the race. Aged only 30. It could have been just one of the new items that pop up every now and then. A runner who dies while out on the track.

However, as most runners in the London Marathon, Claire was running to raise money. In this case for the Samaritans. She had just raised around 500 pounds on the morning of the race. Nothing out of the ordinary there as well.

But now the story takes of. After her death donations came streaming in, mainly as the news spread due to social media. Up to this moment the figure is up to 1,000,000 pound. Including a contribution of Richard Branson of Virgin. The sponsor of the marathon.

Wanna help? Here is the link to her fundraising site.

Wanna read more? Here are just two flavours of the news as brought by the Daily Mail and the BBC (or just hit google news).

Saturday 28 April 2012

Bold statement from Kenyan Women

Photo: All Athletics
After the clean sweep last Sunday in London there is a bold statement by the Kenyan Women to enter the Olympic race. They want to repeat last Sundays success with a gold, silver and bronze medal during the olympic marathon next summer.
Read more...

There is however one important difference: The Olympic marathon is run on a different course. It is a course that consits of one smaller en three larger loops. Twisting and turning trough the city center. It has 90 turns and the longest straight line they run is 800 meters. Maybe this will help to come up with a surprise winner. A runner that can cope with changes in rythm.
Olympic Marathon Route London 2012

Wednesday 25 April 2012

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.

Monday 16 April 2012

CPR instructions for Boston Marathon Runners

The organization of the famous Boston Marathon has posted a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) instruction on their website. With the use of a video runners, and of course other who are interested, can learn how they can perform CPR.
Being trained in CPR I strongly advise not only to watch this video. If you seriously what to help: try to find a first aid class nearby an practise! They have dummies on which you can practise the posture, the rhythm and the technique.
However let this not withhold you to come to the rescue the minute you see a runner collaps because even with this video in mind you might be able to save someones life!

So please watch careful en remember: It can also happen in everyday live.



For a success story:


Carlton Smith mentiones an AED. This stand for Automated External Defibrillator. More and more you can find the First Aid version of this devise in for example stores of public buildings.
Below you find an instructional video. Again I strongly advise to follow some classes to go through the drill as shown in the second part of this video:


Let hope you never have to use this knowledge!

Sunday 15 April 2012

Top 3 in pictures: Marathon Rotterdam

Like other years you could find me on the Coolsingel for the Rotterdam Marathon. The difference with previous years? One and a half hour earlier and behind the barriers instead of on the course.

It gave me the opportunity to take pictures of the elite runners.

Adhane just before finishing in 2:04:48

Number 2: Geleke

Number 3: Mosop



Video reports on the marathon of Rotterdam

The NOS covered the whole race. Here you can find some short impressions:

 The final stages of the mens race:
 

 and the women:
 

 The 6th place from the Dutch Koen Raymaekers with a personal best. He just failed to qualify for the olympic games. Let hope the Dutch Olympic Committee wil reconsider:
 

 The interview afterwards:
 

 With the ladies the same story. Miranda Boonstra: again a personal best but just failing to qualify for London:
 

 her interview after the finish;
 

Saturday 14 April 2012

Anoucement for Marathon of Rotterdam

Tomorrow 10:30: the start of the Rotterdam Marathon. The national broadcasting services of the Netherlands promote thier coverage of the event with the video below. Will we see a worldrecord tomorrow morning? Wanna know more on this marathon. Read my review!

Monday 9 April 2012

26 loops to complete a marathon

In West Lafayette, Indiana, over 100 runners participated in the Circular Logic Marathon. 26 laps of 1 mile each! Actualy a good idea to be able to organize a small scale marathon without al the hassle to create a 26 mile course. And as the organizer states: "It is nice for the supporters because they can set up themselves and watch 'their runner' 26 times".


Thursday 5 April 2012

Tarahumare loose their ambassador "Caballo Blanco"

resources2.news.com.au
Last week the news got out that Micah Treu, "Caballo Blanco", was found dead in Gila National Forrest. He did not return from a training run. Micah became somewhat of a running celebrity trough the book "Born to Run" of which you can read a review on my blog.

This book and the Copper Canyon Marathon promoted the Tarahumara Tribe: ultra runners by nature. In an earlier post you can find a short film on this run.

New Nike Free Commercial

In order to promote the new Nike Free a commercial is made of two and half minutes of length as a small film with a complete story line.

Sunday 1 April 2012

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: