I was thinking of doing the Midwinter Marathon in Apeldoorn in Netherlands on 3-Feb-2013. I am looking for some reviews/feedback on it. Has anyone done this before. Any info/advice much appreciated.
Never done the marathon, but there used to be a 20K too which I did a couple of times and it really was a brilliant race BUT it was cold when I did it - around -8 at the start (the canals in Amsterdam had frozen) but there was no snow, just very cold - If you want a recommendation based on my experience in the shorter race Go for it!!
The roads were fine - just very very cold - they were in the middle of one of the coldest spells in may years, but there was no snow around just cold - I wish I could give you an indication of what the marathon was like - I know a club mate enjoyed it - but the idea of being out for hours in those temperatures didn't appeal!!! I do remember there were plenty of showers etc at the finish.
I again missed out on this, entries have now closed. I am a trail runner so it being a multiterrain appealed to me and also in the countryside. I do realise it's probably though a track rather than trail, there are some hills I have been told (but hills? in Holland?!).
It was fairly cold this year, but it was still run. The organization took some special measures. They shortened the permited time to 4.5 hours (I think also partly for the benefit of the volunteers). The 27.5 km course follows the same route, so if you didn't reach the point where they split at a certain time, you were made to only run the 27.5 km course. There was also a number of heated tents along the course if you got too cold.
The FAQs on the Dutch website (no. 16) say that there is a single stretch of about 2 km which is not tarmacked, but that it's hard enough to not be a problem.
I've just been browsing the Midwinter Marathon website and noticed something which may be of interested to anyone running the marathon distance which is not given (or I can't find) on the English pages. The sports hall (Sprengeloo) is not particularly close to the start/finish and there is a shuttle bus service. The changing facilities for the other distances are walking distance from the start/finish.
I recently saw a video on YouTube where the race chairman claimed that the Midwinter Marathon was, after Athens, the second most difficult marathon in the world on account of the deceptive inclines. I've since had a reaction from him via Twitter (albeit rather unclear) after I asked him what he based that opinion on and he admitted he'd made a mistake in what he said. I spend a bit of time on a Dutch forum (please don't think that I'm Dutch) and have tried to gauge the reaction of people who have already run in Apeldoorn. Nobody said it was an absolute killer, but I have been told that there is a total incline of about 225 metres.
This time next week we will know all about it. Looking at the wather forecast, it looks like it will be about 3-4 degrees. So hopefully nothing like -15.
Anyone any idea how many entries they normally get for the marathon?
This time next week we will know all about it. Looking at the wather forecast, it looks like it will be about 3-4 degrees. So hopefully nothing like -15.
Anyone any idea how many entries they normally get for the marathon?
The Asselronde (27.5 km) is fairly popular. It starts at the same time and follows the same course as the marathon for practically its entire distance, so I expect it will seem as if there are many more than a few hundred running the marathon for quiet a while.
That is good to know. Better watch I don't get caught up in runnning at a pace with guys only doing the 27.5Km. Then finding out as they head for the finish line that I still have 15 KM to go
Comments
Never done the marathon, but there used to be a 20K too which I did a couple of times and it really was a brilliant race BUT it was cold when I did it - around -8 at the start (the canals in Amsterdam had frozen) but there was no snow, just very cold - If you want a recommendation based on my experience in the shorter race Go for it!!
Thanks for the info. Were the road surfaces slippy or werethey ok to run on?
The roads were fine - just very very cold - they were in the middle of one of the coldest spells in may years, but there was no snow around just cold - I wish I could give you an indication of what the marathon was like - I know a club mate enjoyed it - but the idea of being out for hours in those temperatures didn't appeal!!! I do remember there were plenty of showers etc at the finish.
I again missed out on this, entries have now closed. I am a trail runner so it being a multiterrain appealed to me and also in the countryside. I do realise it's probably though a track rather than trail, there are some hills I have been told (but hills? in Holland?!).
Not a flat as you would expect - it is a lovely part of Holland.
I was able to register for the marathon today.
Oh yes, registration is open. Will skip it though this year, not ready to run a mara yet barefoot.
I am sure you will enjoy it.
If my knee holds out, I'm planning on running the Midwinter Marathon too.
http://www.afstandmeten.nl/index.php?id=1839 (the little man thingy may be useful)
and
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_iOhoRBfQQ
That may give you a better idea of the course.
If it's icey, the paths and raods should be cleared.
http://tinyurl.com/dxlybgf was this year
It was fairly cold this year, but it was still run. The organization took some special measures. They shortened the permited time to 4.5 hours (I think also partly for the benefit of the volunteers). The 27.5 km course follows the same route, so if you didn't reach the point where they split at a certain time, you were made to only run the 27.5 km course. There was also a number of heated tents along the course if you got too cold.
Ive just entered Apeldoorn full marathon. Not much else around in February! Looking forward to it
Appears once you enter online you then have to arrange for a bank transfer of the race fee 39euros. Strange!
I've never entered an event in the UK. What would you consider normal over there?
Is it "multiterrain"? In the video posted by Fugee it looks like it's 100% tarmac to me. Thanks!
I beleive it is all tarmac. I hope it is
The FAQs on the Dutch website (no. 16) say that there is a single stretch of about 2 km which is not tarmacked, but that it's hard enough to not be a problem.
Thanks Fugee
I think I now know which section is untarmacked.
If you look at the map (http://www.afstandmeten.nl/index.php?id=1839), it's the section from just after the 14 km point to the 16 km point where you come out of the trees.
HTH
I've just been browsing the Midwinter Marathon website and noticed something which may be of interested to anyone running the marathon distance which is not given (or I can't find) on the English pages. The sports hall (Sprengeloo) is not particularly close to the start/finish and there is a shuttle bus service. The changing facilities for the other distances are walking distance from the start/finish.
HI folks - for anyone who is going, have you booked your accomodation yet? This hotel is only about 1.3KM from the start/finish area.
Hampshire Hotel - Apeldoorn
Address: Soerenseweg 73
Apeldoorn, 7313 EH
Netherlands
That seems to be the very hotel which I have booked !
I spend a bit of time on a Dutch forum (please don't think that I'm Dutch) and have tried to gauge the reaction of people who have already run in Apeldoorn. Nobody said it was an absolute killer, but I have been told that there is a total incline of about 225 metres.
Well, that sounds awfully flat compared with a lot of the marathons that I've run.
I do know someone who ran it last year and who said it was -15C. That's a bit nippy, even for a Geordie !
This time next week we will know all about it. Looking at the wather forecast, it looks like it will be about 3-4 degrees. So hopefully nothing like -15.
Anyone any idea how many entries they normally get for the marathon?
Last year it looks like there were about 440, which seems a reasonable number for the time of year.
3-4C ? Positively balmy
The Asselronde (27.5 km) is fairly popular. It starts at the same time and follows the same course as the marathon for practically its entire distance, so I expect it will seem as if there are many more than a few hundred running the marathon for quiet a while.
That is good to know. Better watch I don't get caught up in runnning at a pace with guys only doing the 27.5Km. Then finding out as they head for the finish line that I still have 15 KM to go
What a great event. It was a lovely route. I would definitely like to do it again some time.
It was great wasn't it? I really enjoyed it and at least the rain stayed off until the second half. I'm pretty sure I'll be back again as well.
This race has really got my interest but it has a very keen cutoff of 4:30! Any of you folks entering again for 2014?