[Back to  the NEWS Page or back to the GALLERY Page]

ING MARATHON AND ECHO 7.5KM RUN

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, SUNDAY 19th OCTOBER 2008

Phil Humphries and Ely Mackenzie took part in the above events, both achieving fantastic PB's. Phil managed to take 6 minutes off his previous marathon PB (and also taking the ERN fastest male marathoner from Ally McDonald as well) while Ely seems to be getting faster all the time. Congratulations to them both. The events were part of an enjoyable running events weekend hosted by Amsterdam city. Recommended.

Phil said:   "Marathon report: Great way to start and finish in the old 1928 Olymipic stadium. Overall a friendly and well organised race with lots of well placed drinks stations each one offering sports drinks or water, sponges, and some even had slices of banana on offer.  My only gripe was the start being very overcrowded, and that coupled with slower runners in the wrong start zone made it hard to get into a good rythm and pace in the first 5km. Still the course was flatter than a pancake, and I was able to make up for a slowish start with strong middle section and managed not to drop off the pace to much towards the end. Weather was kind being dry and sunny, but with a cool breeze to stop things getting too hot. Amsterdam is a great city to run a marathon in being so easy to get to from Edinburgh with good transport links and a great place to chill out in before and after the run. Tip: best to check your hotel has not moved since you last visited the place !   Good luck to Neil in New York - the way Neil's been clocking up the ERN records this year I doubt if my marathon best will last very long!"

Ely said:   "Echo 7.5km Report: Well I thought this was a fun run, but when I lined up with the other 2000 plus entrants I realised that there were some serious runners out there - what I couldn't understand was why they were running this race rather than the Marathon or the 1/2 in the afternoon (maybe this was their warm up for the 1/2!).  We ran the first leg that the marathan runners had taken 1hr before and the crowds were still out in the streets which was good to see.  I thought I would be near the back of the pack finishing in around 45 mins but I surpised myself by coming in at 42.22 - no excuses now for not getting under an hour in those 10k's."

Some photos:

The start in the olympic stadium

And they're off

Phil

Ely

The medals show the olymic flame as the 1928 Amsterdam games was the first time it was used.