Amsterdam Marathon 21st October 2007

Ian Hepworth

During a busy time with Cross Country fixtures, club member, Ian Hepworth recently found time to travel to Amsterdam to compete in the Marathon, which took place on Sunday 21st October. Travelling as part of a group of International Rotarians, Ian accepted the invitation to take part in the 32nd running of the famous event and went along as part of a 33 strong group, with members from the UK, France, Germany, Australia and Andorra, as well as the host country, Holland.

The start and finish of the Amsterdam Marathon actually takes place in the 75-year old Olympic Stadium, providing a dramatic backdrop for a fantastic event. The course then winds its way across the city, taking the runners past famous buildings, through parks and for quite stretch alongside the river Amstel, from which the city takes its name.

The weather was fine and cool, with little wind, providing ideal running conditions on the day, which Ian intended to take full advantage of, reaching the half way point at 13.1 miles in a comfortable time of 1.52.56, well on course for the target of sub 4 hours, which he had set himself. He maintained a consistent speed during the second half of the race, slowing only slightly, to run an almost ideal split, crossing the finish line in a fantastic time of 3.48.56. This is nine minutes faster than his time at the London Marathon in April this year and his best time over the 26.2 mile distance for over five years. His overall position was 2954th from a total of 6522 competitors, which also placed him 33rd from 125 runners in the MV60 age group.

The ideal conditions enabled the winner Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya, to a fast finish in the elite race of 2.06.29, on a day, which was dominated by the Kenyans, who took 6 out of the top 7 places. The women’s elite race was also won by a Kenyan in the form of Magdaline Chemjor in 2.28.16.