Douwe Woldring (from St. Koopvaardij Pastoraat Groningen) says: Last weekend, on behalf of the ZekerArbo FiTClub, I had the opportunity to participate in the Dam tot Damloop, one of the largest and most atmospheric running events in the Netherlands. What started out as a athletic challenge for me turned out to be a day filled with experiences, hospitality, and camaraderie.
The day got off to a great start with a warm welcome at 8:30 a.m. at the NN Dam tot Dam Park. While enjoying a cup of coffee, there was plenty of opportunity to get to know the other participants and soak up the atmosphere of the event. Next, former top handball player Tess Wester led an energetic warm-up, ensuring that everyone was well-prepared when they lined up at the starting line.
After the warm-up, we were taken to the starting area by shuttle buses. At 10:30 a.m., the starting gun was fired by the director of Doctors Without Borders, after which thousands of enthusiastic runners set off on their journey from Amsterdam to Zaandam.
The Dam tot Damloop is, of course, known for passing through the IJ Tunnel, but what surprised me most of all was the route through Amsterdam-Noord. To be honest, I never expected this part of the city to be so lively and welcoming during the event. Everywhere you looked, families, children, and local residents were lining the streets to cheer on the runners. Their enthusiastic support gave us an extra boost of energy and created a fantastic atmosphere along the route.
Along the way, I enjoyed the varied course, the many supporters, and the special feeling of running toward the finish line in Zaandam alongside thousands of other runners. It is precisely this combination of athletic challenge, camaraderie, and fun that makes the Dam tot Damloop such a unique event.
More Than Just a Sporting Event
For me, an event like the Dam tot Damloop is about more than just a good finishing time or crossing the finish line. It’s mainly about health, vitality, and fun. Initiatives like the “ZekerArbo ” FiTClub can inspire people to take a more conscious approach to their health. Sometimes, a single event is all it takes to set a personal turnaround in motion.
With the motto,“Until you’re 40, your body takes care of you; after that, you have to take care of your body,”I made a conscious decision to turn things around a few years ago. I started eating healthier, practically stopped drinking alcohol, and began exercising much more. Those changes have helped me lose over ten kilos and feel fitter than ever.
I see the best proof of this every year during the 4 Mijl van Groningen. While I was running considerably slower around the age of thirty, I’m now more than ten minutes faster over the same distance. In addition, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing a number of wonderful athletic highlights, including completing the 70.3 Ironman Mallorca in 2014 and the Groningen Marathon earlier this year.
As far as I’m concerned, there’s an important lesson here for both employers and employees. Investing in health and physical activity not only leads to fitter employees, but also to greater energy, job satisfaction, and long-term employability. Ultimately, this benefits both organizations and the people themselves—making them better off and, above all, happier. That’s precisely why initiatives like the “ ZekerArbo ” and FiTClub are so valuable.
A wonderful way to end a successful day
After crossing the finish line, we were once again warmly welcomed at the NN Dam tot Dam Park. A delicious and healthy lunch was waiting for us there—the perfect moment to look back together on the day’s achievements. To cap it all off, we enjoyed a refreshing Peroni 0.0 before it was time to head back to the Far North.
I look back on this wonderful day with great pleasure. My thanks go to ZekerArbo for the invitation and the excellent organization. It was a fantastic experience to be part of the ZekerArbo FiTClub. With wonderful memories to take home, I’m already looking forward to the next sporting event.
On to the next challenge!
