Amsterdam 2007

Well done everyone, some fantastic times.  I was so pleased with my time as i have had a virus and thoughtt hat i would not be able to run, my time was 3.51, so well pleased and will put in for next year as the route was so nice.

I have to say that never within the space of four days have I eaten so much pasta (the Italian on the Leidseplein invaded on Saturday by hordes of runners), gulped so much Gatorade, drunk so much Guinness (Mulligan’s – where else) consumed such big steaks (the Argentinean off Dam Square Sunday night full to bursting), viewed so many galleries, visited so many cafes and slept so much sleep and somewhere in the midst of all of that there was 26.2 miles of marathon mayhem – absolutely bl00dy brilliant and can hardly wait to go back.

I peglegged over the line in 3.55.26, (number 2545). I was aiming for a bit less, but the whole of my right leg seized up at the final drinks station, where I lay on the deck caterwauling,  wishing the pain away.

Everyone seems to have had a magical weekend. It was brilliant.

I was very grateful for the support of those who picked out the marathoners, and yes, "legs in threads", I do remember a small group of people on the last K - on my left I think, by the tram stop - who leaned over and gave some very strong encouragement. If that was you, you might remember a very tired middle-aged guy in blue cap and top and baggy beige shorts who would likely have said thank you and given a grim but polite thumbs up. I tried to acknowledge everyone who clapped and cheered. If that was you - I was VERY grateful!

Also, not all the half marathoners simply pushed past. There were a few who made a point of  saying something positive as they went past.

I just looked back at the Paris figures and realised the difference. In Amsterdam there were 6,490 finishers. In Paris last year there were 30,772 finishers. It's a different scale. Amsterdam was more intimate. In Paris the pasta party was all buzz and excitement - in Amsterdam it was about chilling out and having decent food. Different place, different experience.

Silk Tork

I ran in the half on Sunday (don't think I'm capable of a marathon), just managing to break two hours.  I think I must have caught up with half a dozen or so marathoners and I tried to make a point of supporting them, as did many of the folks round about me, 'cos I have the utmost respect for anybody who finishes that distance, irrespective of the time.

There did seem to be quite a few people in  the half who wouldn't have looked out of place in a fun run and were all over the place so maybe it was some of those guys who didn't know any better who barged their way through.

I agree with the comments about lack of vocal crowd support, however, this was my first ever race abroad and I loved every minute of it, both cheering on the marathoners beforehand and also doing the half.  The finish in the stadium was the dogs dangly bits -my Chariots of Fire moment  !!!

This was my first trip to Amsterdam for over thirty years and I thought that the place was brilliant, all in all, a wonderful weekend.

I'm late coming into this got 4.14 so got qualifying place for age for London so happy with that.  Thought conditions were perfect but not happy with lack of water stations and thought support a bit sparce I know that the last few miles are really hard and the support really helps me through but the down side is the reason I am only getting back now is on Monday morning went for coffee after queue for Ann Frank House too long and was only in cafe about 20 minutes when got up bag had been stolen so had no ticket, passport, money or anything fortunately my mobile phone was in pocket so cancelled all credit cards within about 10 mins but took the rest of the day to sort out getting back to England and then when I did had to have locks changed cos I didnt realise but the police over there said they sell your house keys and address to accomplices in England.

So only back in work today.  Looking back though still good weekend lots of laughs and finished the marathon so not the end  of the world

That's too bad Pat, what a nightmare!

Were you by any chance in the group of what sounded like North Westerners staying at the Hem hotel?

That's tough Pat.

How did you manage to get back without your passport and ticket? 

Yes stayed at the Hem but there was another group from the North West who did a lot of drinking in the bar that wasnt us.  Our group was all women except for two three of us did the marathon and the rest did the half.

 The police were brilliant said it is very common in Amsterdam gave me a police report and I had to go to the airport and show to Jet2 who we flew with and they telephoned Immigration at Manchester and asked if they would admit me to country without passport they just asked a couple of security questions and said yes somebody would meet me at other end.  They gave me form to fill in and that was that very painless really fortunately I was with three friends and they paid for my meals and train fares etc. just have the nightmare now of getting everything replaced.But not letting it spoil my weekend which was really enjoyable

Pat. 

So somebody had to meet you to verify that you were who you said you were?

Pat,

I've got a feeling we were on the same tram as you on the way back to the hotel on Saturday afternoon. We were chatting to one of (your) party who was doing the half while walking back to the hotel.

We got stuck in a not too pleasant room in the annex, thankfully, we were only staying one night.

Oooh you speedy lot.  I did 5.21 which was 16 mins FASTER than Paris and managed a sprint into the stadium and pass a woman who was hounding me all the way round and then thought she'd lost me......the roar was great and I burst into tears. 

I thought it was great, much better than Paris, given the weather, and there were drinks a plenty for me, plus my hubby was on a bike and was with me quite a lot of the time, shouting at me and topping up my bottle - so that was a huge boost for me.

The spectators were nice, and the 1/2 marathon lot that suddenly snuck up on me (and some other ladies who were stragglers) was a shock to say the least....but it kept me going too.

The videos are scary, well I am - and I must lose weight...!

It's the Toulouse marathon tomorrow - will give it a miss, but I won't be hanging up the trainers as I'm into it now and given I did very very little training and felt good after this one, I think there's hope for me for under 5 hours.......

hi guys and girls

I am looking at returning to Amsterdam again next year.

This year a group of us stayed at the Holiday Inn in Rai, it was a good Hotel and I would recomend it but I am looking an alternative for next year

Could any of you recomend any other Hotels based on your expeirence from this year

many thanks

Best Western Delphi on Appollaan. About a mile`s walk from the start-finish. 15 mins walk from town centre (or a 2 min tram ride).

Pluses:

1) staff very friendly and helpful

2) close to start finish

3) easy to reach from airport

4) easy to reach town centre

5) location: quiet smart residential area

6) 3-4 v good restaurants within 5 mins walk

7) cheap if booked in advance (go through Best Western site)

8) clean 

Minuses

1) breakfast is ok but not especially inspiring

2) no evening meals - no lunchtime meals

3) bar is very quiet 

4) the single runs are quite pokey (only one has a bath) - the double rooms were fine.