Janne Holmen ran a wonderful EC gold marathon in Munich on August 11, 2002.
– The group coming from behind won’t catch Holmen. That’s for sure. This is the kind of bang that goes under.
– This will be an all-time Finnish sensation. Such a feat, that is precisely a feat in the true sense, has not been seen on a lunar day.
That’s how they interpreted it Antero Mertaranta and Bro-Erik Wallenius Above by Janne Holmen the last few kilometers at the Munich European Marathon in August 2002.
Like Mertaranta and Wallenius, newspaper editors look for superlatives when describing the golden performance. Iltalehti wrote about “the EC surprise of all time”, Helsingin Sanomat about “an incredible feat”.
Holmen admits, after two decades, that his golden run really seems to be the most surprising Finnish title race of all time.
– Of course, there have been bigger wins, but they have always been more expected, like for example Lasse Viren’s Olympic golds.
Pedal to the metal
Standing at the starting line, Holmen was 24 years old, the youngest of the 34-strong group. He had run only one marathon, the previous year in Rotterdam with a time of 2:16:24.
– I knew that I was in much better shape than in Rotterdam, Holmen recalls.
– I believed that I would be able to run for 2.12.
The marathon is traditionally considered a journey for experienced foxes, but Holmen did not care about such thoughts. He unpredictably hit the gas to the bottom after a blisteringly fast opening stint and began to tear away.
– At seven kilometers I already had a one-minute lead, Holme’s time.
– The others didn’t notice that I had picked up the pace. Even at that point I knew it was going to be a good day.
Running parents
Holmen started athletics at the age of 12 in his hometown of Jomala, Åland. The inspirations were found nearby: Nina-mother is the 3000 meter European champion, Rune– father 5000 meters Finnish champion.
– I started running in the summer, maybe six kilometers every three days. I got a bit of a stamina base.
At the age of 17, Holmen received his first real training program, prepared by Rune’s father.
– Little by little, the amounts were increased, and intensity exercises were included.
In his peak years, Holmen ran around 200 kilometers a week.
– Some run more, some only 150 kilometers. I’ve always enjoyed running, so 200km weeks suit me.
Great solo
Janne Holmen was superior at the European Marathon in Munich on August 11, 2002. AOP
Holmen did not make the trip alone in Munich, but Norway was on his heels Karl Johan Rasmussen.
– In the twenties, the main crowd also started to keep a faster pace, but when I ran my fastest section between 20 and 25 kilometers, the lead only grew, Holmen reminds.
– At that point I noticed that I have a good chance of winning.
At thirty, Holmen knocked Rasmussen out of the game and started a lofty solo towards the stadium.
– I picked up the pace. I ran as hard as I could. It worked.
Holmen crossed the finish line in 2.12.14 – as he had planned. The ventilations were moderate, downright restrained.
– After a marathon, it’s always a good feeling to reach the finish line, but of course it was especially nice when I was the prize winner, he says.
– It was a big step and the biggest moment of my career, because before I had only been a national-level runner.
Holmen was confusingly superior. Estonia finished second Pavel Loskutov was more than a minute behind.
– I would have thought that there are more people who want to run hard, Holmen thinks.
– The first five kilometers were quite relaxed. It helped me.
Flag commotion
Janne Holmen did the traditional honor run with the Finnish flag in his hands. AOP
Holmen ran the lap of honor in the traditional way with the Finnish flag on his shoulders. A couple of days later, he was at the center of the noise.
– A local politician from Åland said that he would have liked me to run (the lap of honor) under the flag of Åland. When the journalist asked me for my opinion, I said that I would have liked to run without a ticket.
The statement was interpreted to mean that Holmen is not exactly Finnish.
– My choice of words was bad, he admits.
– I meant that I don’t want to be involved in a political battle or that my victory is some kind of pawn.
Iltalehti also made fun of Janne Holmen’s ticket comments.
Ninth in Osaka
Holmen was a great hero, the first Finnish endurance race winner since then Martti Vainion the summer 1978 European Championship.
The career continued until 2009, but there was no second jackpot.
– You can only make such a big surprise once, Holmen smiles.
– At the World Championships in Osaka (2007) I was ninth and the second best European. It was my best run since Munich.
Holmen clocked his marathon record in April 2008 in Rotterdam: 2.10.46.
A light step
Holmen operates as a researcher and teacher at Uppsala University. He already completed his doctorate during his racing career.
– I am currently teaching in the university’s teacher training program, Holmen says.
– I have done a lot of educational historical research projects comparing Finland and Sweden and other Nordic countries as well.
Holmen only follows elite sports with a side eye – but the runs are still delicious.
– Last year I had hip surgery, so I’ve had to be a little more careful, but I try to go running about three times a week.
Is the step still light?
– It’s pretty light.
Janne Holmen still runs three times a week. Kari Kuukka