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Wim Verhoorn visiting the Berlin Sports Museum in 2010 with a rarity as a donation to the museum from the congress kit of the 1st AIMS World Congress in Tokyo in 1983 - Photo: Gerd Steins, Berlin
Wim Verhoorn passed away – RIP
Wim Verhoorn, for many years the Dutch national coach in road running, died in a residential home for the elderly on the evening of Tuesday 16 March 2021 at the age of 79. Wim Verhoorn had not been in good health for some time.
He was coach at „Hermes DVS“ until 1981, and from 1981 onwards, with interruptions, he was employed by „KNAU“ (Dutch LA Federation) as coach for the country’s most important road runners such as Nijboer, Ten Kate, Lambregts, Vermeule, Reynierse, Sasse and Beurskens.
From 1997-2007 he was Board Member of AIMS and played a leading role in major running events such as the City- Pier-City Half Marathon, the Enschede Marathon and Twente Marathon. In cooperation with the Twente authorities, he organised the 11th World Congress of the AIMS in Enschede in June 1997.
The Dutch newspaper „Telegraaf“ wrote in an obituary about Wim Verhoorn: „A visionary who was far ahead of his time,“ says former marathon runner Jacques Valentin, who was coached by Verhoorn at the times. „For example, he started running clinics and women’s races and coached Crown Prince Willem-Alexander in the preparation for his New York City Marathon in 1992. Verhoorn led large groups of Dutch runners to the New York City Marathon every year – and to other marathon destinations around the world.
Wim Verhoorn’s unique collection from all over the world for the Sportmuseum Berlin – Photo: Gerd Steins, Berlin
Verhoorn coached the Crown Prince through the „Centurion’s“, a small group of captains of industry, including directors from Schiphol Airport and the Port of Rotterdam. „Every Sunday morning we gathered at De Bilt to train together,“ says former chairman Johan van Dijk. „Wim was the motivating force behind this wonderful, illustrious group, which included Gerrie Knetemann. Their slogan was ‚Running for a better life‘.
Wim Verhoorn (3rd from right) on a visit at the Berlin Sports Museum with a group of his Dutch friends – Photo: Gerd Steins, Berlin
„Wim was a real organiser and arranged everything for the top athletes,“ says Gerard Nijboer, himself a long-time Dutch record holder in the marathon and European champion in the 1982 marathon in Athens and silver medallist in the 1980 Olympic Marathon in Moscow. „If an athlete wanted a salty herring in the middle of the night, he arranged it for the athlete“. He cooked and massaged his athletes. At the same time, he was one of the first to establish and promote road running in the Netherlands. An inspiring man for all of us.“
Photos (r.) of many competitions from all over the world – track and road races – Photo: Gerd Steins, Berlin
„Wim was the main man shortly after Nijboer made a huge push for road running in the Netherlands,“ says former marathon runner Marti ten Kate. „He was a jacks-of-all-trades and, together with manager Roelof Veld, organised competitions for them and arranged sponsors. He took the load off you as an athlete“.
Roelof Veld, Dutch marathon record holder previous to Nijboer, calls Verhoorn the promoter of national and international road races in the Netherlands. „Wim was the organiser of the training weekends around the big competitions and was always right in front and behind the athletes. He was the founder of big group tours, especially to the New York City Marathon, and had very good contacts with athletes, organisers and coaches.“
Lornah Kiplagat is awarded the AIMS-ASICS Runner of the Year Award by Wim Verhoorn – Photo: AIMS
Jacques Valentin, writes: „Wim started getting involved in running when ultra runner Jan Knippenberg asked him to coach him. I lived in Wim’s neighbouring village and cycled to his house in Hoek van Holland to ask him to coach me at the beginning of my running career. We started a relationship, as a coach and as a friend, that lasted until his death.“
Wim Verhoorn (2nd from right) with gifts and his friends in the Sports Museum – Photo: Gerd Steins, Berlin
„He was my mentor and taught me to always think outside the box. His passion and creativity were keys. More and more he got involved with other runners at all levels, including famous singers, politicians, captains of industry and members of our royal family. During his time as national coach, he led Gerard Nijboer to the European title in Athens in 1982.“
„He was a visionary and quickly saw the potential of women’s running, running tourism and coaching platforms to promote the sport.
Paula Radcliffe is presented the Association of International Marathon and Road Races (AIMS)/ASICS Athlete of the Year Award, by AIMS Director of Marketing Willem Verhoorn, in Battersea Park, London, on Sunday 8th October 2006.
Photo: AIMS-Chris Young
„His greatest passion was travelling the world, bringing runners to events and expanding his incredible network. He had this great talent and nature to open doors everywhere.
„He received a Royal Order for his great contribution to the promotion of running in the Netherlands.“
Wim Verhoorn visited the Berlin Sports Museum, which is also the „AIMS Marathon Museum of Running“, several times and arrived with full luggage each time. From his numerous trips to running events all over the world, he brought back exhibits and souvenirs of all kinds, which he donated to the museum.
Wim Verhoorn’s sporting valuables (r.) in the „Wim Verhoorn Collection“ – Photo: Gerd Steins, Berlin
From countless ties, especially from Japan, tie pins, cufflinks,cups, photos, posters, medals, plates, T-shirts, nothing was left out to be preserved for future generations. His entire extensive collection – a treasure in itself – is listed and documented under the name „Wim Verhoorn Collection“ in the Berlin Sports Museum.
One particularly personal memory of Wim Verhoorn has stayed with me because it deeply touched everyone who was there. It was in 2005 at an AIMS Board Meeting in Bangkok/Thailand.
There was also a trip to the famous „bridge on the River Kwai“.
At Wim Verhoorn’s request, a cemetery was visited. Here, prisoners of war were buried who were involved in the construction of the bridge at that time. Wim Verhoorn walked for a long time along the long rows of graves until he found a grave and stopped, deeply shocked: This was the grave of his father, which he saw for the first time in his life. One can imagine the emotions this caused in him – and of course in all his companions.
With Wim Verhoorn, one of the pioneers of the worldwide sport of running passed away, who will be thankfully remembered by all for his kind and human-friendly manner.
Horst Milde with informations from Jan Schuttert (NL)
https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/795459863/oud-bondscoach-wegatletiek-wim-verhoorn-79-overleden
More from Wim Verhoorn:
„The Artefact of the Month“ IV. – Museum Rarities from the Berlin Sports Museum – AIMS Museum of Running – Wim Verhoorn / NED and his Gifts to the Berlin Sports Museum – AIMS Marathon Museum of Running – Current Gifts – Horst Milde Reports:
