Frontrunners Christoff and Niek

“We’re not aiming for the fastest time. We are in it for the energy and fun,” says Niek Huizenga of Future Tech Ventures, a northern fund for high-tech startups. He joins Christoff Heunis of Flux Robotics, a medtech startup innovating endovascular surgery with magnetic navigation. Though their athletic backgrounds differ, both value the movement and connection the Campus Trail brings. 

“One of the most exciting parts of any sports event is the shared energy,” says Christoff. “It’s about pushing your limits, but also being part of something bigger.” For him, the trail reflects the collaborative spirit of Campus Groningen: “You can’t run the same time or distance alone that you would in a group and that’s true for innovation too.” 

Though Niek prefers weights and the fitness competition Hyrox over running, he’s excited to join: “It is about the community. You push yourself more when you’re with others, just like in business. Doing it together makes it better.” 

Both see the Campus Trail as a symbol of the ecosystem of Campus Groningen they work in: open, diverse, and full of energy. As Christoff puts it, “Most growth happens while you move. So just get moving.”