Anyone wanting to be part of the jubilee 35th Rotterdam Marathon had better ‘make a run for it’ – The Mario Kadiks Column

In recent months, the question everyone has been asking me has been when registration for next year’s jubilee marathon will be opening. Interest in the 35th Rotterdam Marathon is apparently running high! Those who still want to be part of the experience need to ‘make a run for it’ and register soon.

Anticipating the expected popularity of the event, we’d already increased the entry limit from 13,500 to 15,000 runners. However, even that number will probably soon be reached and, as in previous years, we will be forced to put up the ‘sold out’ sign.

We expect to welcome 40,000 runners during the jubilee weekend of 11 and 12 April. Besides the 15,000 runners in the Marathon, there will be 3,000 people participating in the Business Runs and 12,000 running the Rotterdam ¼ Marathon on Sunday. On Saturday, approximately 10,000 participants may be involved in the popular 4.2 kilometre AD Mini Marathon and the Kids Runs.

'The Rotterdam ¼ Marathon is new, starting around the same time as the Marathon, but from De Blaak’

The new Rotterdam ¼ Marathon will replace the 10 km run. That means that, apart from the finishing time, everyone’s exact 10 km time will be registered. Competitors can enjoy the final 550 metres to the finish line on the lively Coolsingel. This part starts on De Blaak at around the same time as the Marathon: at 10.00 a.m. That’s thirty minutes earlier than usual and should mean better conditions for the runners.

In order to maintain the Like2Run quality of our race, we have increased the number of start waves. The Marathon itself will now start in three waves instead of two. Runners in the Rotterdam ¼ Marathon will start in two waves. This should make the start smoother and promote a better flow.

Every year, we try to introduce ways to give participants an even better experience. We listen carefully to the runners’ comments and always look for improvements. For our jubilee Marathon, we have made the course even more attractive. We have reduced the number of corners and made the course better, nicer and faster than ever. This reflects our constant striving for perfection. We like2run the extra mile to create winners!

Over the years, the course has undergone an amazing metamorphosis, as has the entire event. Fewer than 200 participants signed up for the first Rotterdam Marathon to run laps around the Kralingse Bos on a wet Saturday in May 1981. Now there are 200 times as many people involved.

'I can remember a time when we barely had enough money to have registration forms printed’

Since this pioneering phase, the organisation has become increasingly professional and sophisticated. We have a wonderful history and an even better future ahead of us. But that wasn’t the case when I became director in September 1985 after the first five sessions. The coffers were more or less empty. I can still remember having barely enough money to have registration forms printed.

On one occasion, TV reporter Theo Reitsma asked me whether I really believed that ‘Rotterdam’ could compete with famous marathons like New York, Boston and London. Very few people dared mention this ambition, but we worked extremely hard to keep our marathon on the world stage. The Rotterdam Marathon is now a thriving and globally acclaimed event for top athletes and recreational runners. A truly festive happening!

The world record is currently held by Dennis Kimetto (2h02m57s), achieved in Berlin on 28 September. But let’s not forget that Carlos Lopes (2h07m12s, 1985) and Belayneh Densamo (2h06m50s, 1988) as well as Tegla Loroupe in the women’s category in 1998 (2h20m47s) all registered world-class times on the Coolsingel. For over thirteen years, Rotterdam was the world record holding city.

If Theo Reitsma were to ask me now, I’d say that, given perfect conditions and if everything goes smoothly, we will one day regain that status.

MARIO KADIKS

Source: Rotterdam Marathon