15 replies to this topic

[Daresy]

Hi,

Anyone planning on running the Amsterdam Marathon in 2011? I've just signed up for this race, and wanted to know what people generally think about it. This will be my second marathon this year - I hadn't planned to do it until last week - but from all the publicity that I read it seems like a well-respected race: well-organised, and fast. But can you believe the publicity...?

Any little tips and tricks (like what is the best way to get to the start line &c.) would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

[Kankudai1]

Hi Paul

I ran the Amsterdam marathon in 2009.

The course is certainly flat as you would expect in the Netherlands. Quite a bit of scenic variation - but a relatively long middle section (10-25kms) through an outer suburban parkland started to wear me down a tad - although this bit does meander next to a nice canal. It also goes through Amsterdam's famous VondelPark twice - by the second time though (38kms) most runners are 'walling' it etc.

Whilst it did not have the massive crowds associated with Rotterdam, the start and finish had a good atmosphere being at the old Olympic Stadium. Another plus for me was that the numbers were not huge (circa 7-8,000) - so there is plenty of room to stick to whatever race plan you adopt. Seems now to be getting larger each year and some top Kenyans always turn up.

I stayed at the Citizen M hotel not far from the WTC building complex, close to a major train station (name escapes me) and within walking distance of the registration complex and the start - about 20-25 mins to the start. A tad pricey, but cheaper than central Amsterdam.

It was all highly enjoyable (gezellig as the Dutch would say) - well, apart from the last 10kms - when will I learn to go out steadily. All in all, I'd expect to do it again one day.

All the best
John

[Daresy]

Many thanks John.
I ran Paris earlier this year. 40,000 runners meant that you had to run at the pace of the people around you. Not ideal for a personal best, but a hugely enjoyable and unforgettable experience. I'm hoping that Amsterdam will be faster, but still interesting.
Cheers,
Paul

[Evil]

Kankudai1's comments are on the money.

I have run it three times when living in Amsterdam. It is a great race for a PB with a flat course and cool conditions (as long as it is not too windy).

It is my favourite Dutch marathon and I have run in Rotterdam, Leiden, Leeuwarden and Utrecht (Leidsche Rijn) - it was always good to have family and friends along the course giving some encouragement.

It is growing in size but it does not stop the city (there is too much else going on!) like some other big city races.

Getting to the start depends on where you are staying. Wherever you end up staying it will not be hard to reach via tram, bus or metro. Public transport in the Netherlands is far better than here!

And when you are finished go to De Klos (41 Kerkstraat) and pig out on the best ribs you will find anywhere.

[Chuck]

Thanks for all the info.

This will be my second marathon for the year after doing sub 3hrs (2.59) in Canberra earlier this year. I have had an excellent lead up with my training and still injury free. I haven’t raced since a short 5km in late August which I did a PB (18:43).

With just over a week to go (Race on Sunday 16th Oct) & tapering I’m feeling slower then I have in previous times before a marathon. I have been averaging between 70-100km’s per week, a little more then before.
I’m planning on a pace of 4.10 which should give me at faster time of 2.56 but I’m concerned that the pace will be to fast to hold. Should I go for it from the start or hold back (4.15 pace) then go for it in the last 10km?

P.B the race 2.57.14, excellent weather, great fast flat race.

Edited by Chuck, 10 December 2011 - 10:20 PM.

[Tony123]

Good luck to Michael Shelley in todays Amsterdam marathon.  He has a PB of 2:11:38,  it would be great to seem him run a sub 2:10

[Jogjog]

Can anyone provide a web link for live updates?

[couldhavebeen]

better late than never....


http://www.oleoletv....etherlands.html

[Tony123]

couldhavebeen, on 16 October 2011 - 06:34 PM, said:

better late than never....


http://www.oleoletv....etherlands.html

Thanks, live streaming working well

[Uncle Dave]

Anyone know what time Shelley did? Saw someone come through in asics or addidas kit (tourquoise with yellow stripes) in just under 2:14 and wondered if it was him?

[Tony123]

Shelley ran 2:11:13

[0RTON]

2:11:13 NEW PB
2:11:22 Still a PB

Edited by 0RTON, 17 October 2011 - 06:02 AM.

[Uncle Dave]

Wow, very glad it wasn't him I saw then. Great effort!

[Daresy]

Makes my time of 4:27 look a bit pathetic, but still it's a PB for me, and the conditions were fantastic. What a great race. Well done to the organisers.

[superflake]

Well done Daresy.

Splits for Michael Shelley. Fantastic run.

5 Kilometer 15:42 (15:42)
10 Kilometer 30:44 (15:02)
15 Kilometer 46:20 (15:36)
20 Kilometer 1:02:09 (15:49)
Half marathon 1:05:38
25 Kilometer 1:17:56 (15:47)
30 Kilometer 1:33:33 (15:37)
35 Kilometer 1:48:56 (15:23)
40 Kilometer 2:04:28 (15:32)
Net time 2:11:22 65:38/65:44

Clint Perrett ran 2:17:24 on debut I think?

[Long Arms]

Shelley may have booked his spot on team for Olympics with that run. 3 Aussies will have to run faster in next 7 months for him to miss out.

Clint run around 2.17 or 2.18 last year so it wasn't his debut

Edited by Long Arms, 17 October 2011 - 09:05 AM.