An article was published about the Half Marathon powered by Campus Groningen, which will take place for the first time on Sunday, May 25! Amber van der Schaaf, Communications & Community Manager at Campus Groningen, and Angelo Fornerino from DNV share their thoughts on this exciting event. Read the full article below!
"Better 5 kilometers singing than 10 kilometers sweating"
Together with a group of colleagues, Amber van der Schaaf will participate in the business run of the very first Groningen Half Marathon on Sunday, May 25. Angelo Fornerino from DNV will also be joining his colleagues for a strong sprint that day. With the marathon starting and finishing at the Campus, it feels like a home race for both runners. "I studied here years ago, and now I've been working here for a few years. The campus feels nostalgic," Angelo says.
Groningen already had several running events, but a half marathon was still missing—until now. On Sunday, May 25, the first ‘Groningen Half Marathon, powered by Campus Groningen’ will take place. The half marathon covers 21.1 km, but runners can also choose distances of 10 km and 5 km, while young participants can join the kids' run. Companies, organizations, and teams of colleagues can sign up for the business run, just like Amber and Angelo. Amber will run with the Campus team, and Angelo with one of DNV's teams.
Participants in the half marathon will run through the outskirts near Dorkwerd, the Noorderplantsoen, and the Vismarkt, before finishing back at the Campus. Amber is thrilled: "The Campus is still an undiscovered place for many people." For Angelo, the route is extra special since he spent his student years at the Campus and now works there again.
Angelo will be running the full half marathon on Sunday, May 25—a personal record! Though he has participated in the 4 Mijl van Groningen before, he has never run such a long distance. Since early January, he has been training 2 to 3 times per week. On weekdays, he runs about 5 kilometers, and on weekends, he increases the distance. "I'm building it up slowly. Luckily, I still have some time!"
Amber also started training early in the year. She’s running the 5-kilometer race. Although she has participated in the Campus Trail before as a hobby runner, 10 kilometers was not an option. Laughing, she says: "Better 5 kilometers singing than 10 kilometers sweating."
To cross the finish line singing, proper training is essential. Amber prefers to run early in the morning—ideally with the sun shining. "I try to go for a run a few times a week. Otherwise, I'll end up crossing the finish line looking like a tomato!"
The Groningen Half Marathon is also supporting a good cause: Vrienden Beatrix Children’s Hospital. Participants can raise funds through sponsorships or create their own fundraising page.
? Want to join the half marathon or one of the other distances? You can still sign up! : www.halvemarathongroningen.nl
