If you are a foreigner eluded by the word `Batavierenrace' at coffee table discussions, reaching the other end of this article may be a good idea in order to learn a bit more about it.
The glorious history of the race dates back to 1972, when a couple of enthusiastic university students from Nijmegen returned from the Sola-relay run in Sweden and decided to recreate a similar event. The first race was planned from Nijmegen to Rotterdam, and was named after the Batavians, who sailed down the Rhine in 50 B.C. The following year, because of traffic and infrastructural problems in 1972, the racecourse was directed towards Enschede. And, so a tradition was born.
The 33rd edition of the Batavierenrace will begin at Nijmegen at the stroke of midnight on April 23, 2005. This relay race over 178 kilometers is divided into 25 sections, consisting of 17 men's and 8 women's sections, varying from 3,4 km to 12,1 km. Approximately 320 teams consisting of more than 8000 students, including foreign and Dutch, will be participating in the event, making it one of the biggest student races in the world.
Apart from 25 different sections, there are three restart points to keep the field of the runners the same, which means that each team will be split up into three sub-teams, a night team for sections 1-9, a morning team for sections 10-17 and an afternoon team for sections 18-25. At every relay point, the time of the runners is registered automatically through a chip in the vest. This data at the relay point is sent directly to Enschede for announcement of stage results. Apart from this, an electronic information display is also present at the relay points.
First and second restart points are in Dinxperlo and Barchem respectively. The third restart point is in Enschede, from where the final section of the race towards the UT begins. This section is run by both a male and a female participant. Traditionally the best runners are kept for the final leg of the Batavierenrace. The team with the overall best time is declared the winner. In addition to the overall winner, there are other categories as well, in which separate winners are declared as `The best foreign team' and `The fastest university in the Netherlands.'
One of the organizers, Daniel Krant from the UT, explains enthusiastically, `The Batavierenrace is all about having fun. It does not matter who wins or loses. Participation and enjoyment are the key ideas, although there will be some teams seriously competing and striving for a win as well.'
After 18 long hours of hard running and sportsmanship, the event will be celebrated by a huge party in the evening at the university with bands and DJs. Come join the fun!
Schedule of events
Friday, April 22
9:00 pm - Catholic University of Nijmegen Sports Center Sportcafé - Party!
midnight - Catholic University of Nijmegen Sports Center - The race begins! Every 20 minutes, 55 more runners depart
Saturday, April 23
6:30 am - Dinxperlo - first restart group departs
11:00 am - Barchem - first restart group departs
2:00 pm - Enschede - Oude Markt - various festivities
5:00 pm - Enschede - Oude Markt - women's restart
5:20 pm - Enschede - Oude Markt - men's restart
5:15-6:00 pm - UT - Sintelbaan - Finish
9:00 pm - UT - various locations - Party!
Schedule of events
Friday, April 22
9:00 pm - Catholic University of Nijmegen Sports Center Sportcafé - Party!
midnight - Catholic University of Nijmegen Sports Center - The race begins! Every 20 minutes, 55 more runners depart
Saturday, April 23
6:30 am - Dinxperlo - first restart group departs
11:00 am - Barchem - first restart group departs
2:00 pm - Enschede - Oude Markt - various festivities
5:00 pm - Enschede - Oude Markt - women's restart
5:20 pm - Enschede - Oude Markt - men's restart
5:15-6:00 pm - UT - Sintelbaan - Finish
9:00 pm - UT - various locations - Party!
The final leg from the Oude Markt in Enschede to the UT.
