It was a difficult decision for Nick van Dongen, but the Obstacle Run Brabant, which is held annually in Dongen, stops. After the sudden death of his brother Koen at the beginning of last year, Nick and his mother Marja decided to take over the organization from him. They have set up two beautiful editions together, but now the cake is really gone. “Koen was the driving force.”
“I have been howling a game,” says Nick. “It’s a shame, it is real, but it is no longer possible for us.” The Obstacle Run Brabant started 22 years ago under the name ‘Survival Run Dongen’, a climbing and climbing course for children. In 2019, the Dongen brothers took the organization and changed the name. In six years, the obstacles on the course increased and grew into an event with around 3200 participants.
There is a lot involved in the organization of such a big event. We work with a permanent team of 25 volunteers and on the day itself around 120 volunteers are involved. “People who include the obstacles, traffic controllers, first aid, you name it. It is really a very large organization.”
“It has been enough without Koen.”
Koen has been a volunteer at the event since he was eleven. “It was really his child, he was the driving force,” says his older brother proudly. After Koen died unexpectedly in January last year at the age of 34, Nick took on the organization. “It was very emotional and it went on autopilot. I had never been in charge of such a big event and we then set it up in three months.”
This year it became too much for him. “It takes a lot of time. I take five weeks in advance to build everything, that is simply impossible to do in combination with my own painting company.” Koen worked for Dongenice, which takes place every year in the winter, and had it a bit quieter in the summer period. “This year it just took so much from me and my private life because you are just always busy with it. Without Koen it has been that enough.”
Besides that Nick is busy, it also became increasingly difficult to find enough volunteers and sponsors for the event. “Many regular volunteers get older and have relationships or children, which means they have less time.” According to Nick, the most events in Dongen can find enough volunteers. “The volunteer work with us is physically very difficult, so you attract that group of volunteers less.”
“When the last rider crossed the finish line, we shouted.”
Nick posted a message on social media on Friday to report that the Obstacle Run Brabant will stop. That resulted in many responses and that touches him. “It is very difficult. If Koen had been there, I think it would have just passed. But I have to make the choice for myself, otherwise I will continue.”
It was already clear to the volunteers last June that this would be the last edition and that was very emotional for them. “When the last rider crossed the finish line, we all screamed.” The group of volunteers feels for him as a family and they have closed it nicely together with a barbecue. “With the regular club we will be eating out soon, then we can really close it.”
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