"An impeccable marathon, an event to be proud of”
Everyone at the 31st ABN AMRO Marathon
Rotterdam was a winner. This is borne out by the many enthusiastic
reactions. Here is a small selection.
Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb
"It is a beautiful marathon, an impeccable marathon, a beautiful
event. Something to be really proud of. Everyone comes to Rotterdam
with the same spirit: to participate and experience. I also found
the Kids' Runs on Saturday very interesting. Also from a policy
point of view. It's a nice way to get children moving.''
Marathon-director Mario Kadiks, about the reactions:
"I have had many heart warming reactions. Among others from
participants from Denver, who told me they have never experienced
such a well organized marathon. They will be coming again next
year. Well, we take good organisation for granted. Our mission is
not without reason: We like to run the extra mile to create
winners."
Kadiks, about the race:
"It was an exciting race. Of course you always want it to be
faster, but I'm happy with the times. We are now again the fastest
marathon city in the world, based on the average of the ten fastest
times that have been run. We have pushed Berlin into second
place."
Ria Pluimgraaff, who waved to the public with a banner that
read "THANK YOU":
"The last part, on the Coolsingel, is so wonderful to
experience. You can't believe what you see and hear; so much
enthusiasm. Everyone wanted a picture of me with my banner. It was
the second time I participated in Rotterdam. My time? Something
like five hours and seven minutes, net."
Jeanette Hendriks, volunteer:
"I have run the Rotterdam marathon twice, in 2000 and 2005. My
best time was four hours and ten minutes. I have suffered many
injuries, so I don't run marathons any more. As a volunteer I
guide participants at the start and hand out medals after the
finish. In the past I have also stood at a drinks stand. I am a
member of the athletics club The Lapwings in my hometown of
Bleiswijk. It's fun to hand out medals to colleagues from the club
who pass the finish line. People are really pleased when you
congratulate them and are glad to be able express to you about how
they feel. That's what I like most."
Wim Sanders from Nuenen:
"My time? I have no idea. I was too tired to look at the clock.
I'll look up the results at my leisure when I'm at home."
Jan Wouters from Rotterdam ran a personal best, 3.43.25 gross,
3.40.21 net.
"It is the second time I have run in Rotterdam. It is a great
event, a fantastic marathon. Well organized. Next year again? Yes,
I'll be here again. I wouldn't want to miss this. But if you had
asked me the same question, when I crossed the finish, you would
have had a very different answer from me ..."
Ed Whitlock, the 80-year old Canadian who with 3.25.43 broke a
world record in his age category and was honoured with a bunch of
flowers at the end:
"Although it was hard, I have had a wonderful run. I am very
happy with my time."
Joop Adelmund, Manager elite athletes, about the predicted
wind-force 2
"If this was wind-force 2, I am 17." The wind-force was 4 during
the marathon and Joop is 52.
Gerard Nijboer, coordinator road athletics for the Athletics
Union, about Koen Raymaekers honourable eight place:
"Koen started with the intention to run in 2.10. That didn't
transpire. Still, he can go home holding his head high. Koen has
performed well. In the end, he beat two Kenyans."
Koen Raymaekers
"Halfway through I was 45 seconds up on my desired schedule. I
knew then that a time of 2.10 was no longer possible. Today I was
not good enough for such an accomplishment."
Hilda Kibet, who won a nomination for the 2012 London Olympic
Games. With a personal best of 2.24.27 she is the fastest female
Dutch athlete ever in the history of the ABN AMRO Marathon
Rotterdam.
"I am very happy and satisfied with my time. I felt good, too
bad I finally had to let Philes Ongori go past me. I'd like to have
won, but she was stronger."
Rob Scholtes, RTV Rijnmond journalist, followed the Rotterdam
Marathon for the 25th time on a motorbike. The
organisers paid tribute to him with a personal medal, a glass
plaque, a special tie and flowers. It clearly meant a lot to
him
"I'm truly surprised by this. Great. I've been here every year
since 1987. I remember well that I was startled in 1988 by the
split time at 40 km: 2.00.20. I thought the clock had stopped. That
proved not to be the case. Belayneh Densamo was really fast and ran
a world record of 2.06.50."
