Jaap Wit is the expert when it comes to the half marathon in Egmond aan Zee. The running race is back on the program next Sunday record participant Jaap has registered again this year.
Beard full of icicles
And it promises to be another tough battle with the elements: wintery weather and quite cold. “I like this,” he says when he sees images of the marathon in 1985. “It was very cold then and there was snow. I had icicles in my beard.”
“Egmond must be fierce and angry. It must be intense and cold,” says Jaap. What will it be like this weekend? “The forecasts for Sunday are very good at the moment.” Organizer Le Champion has due to the expected cold additional measures affected.
Put on a garbage bag
If the wind is not too strong, Jaap will participate in the quarter marathon. “I have to pay attention to myself a little bit because I haven’t trained much because of my health.” He hopes to be able to participate until he is eighty.
The most experienced runner in Egmond has a few tips for other runners: “Put on a garbage bag and wear layers. Watch where you walk and pay attention to yourself and your fellow runners. But above all: enjoy! Then you won’t be bothered by the cold.”