Preparation is everything
Van Haastrecht eventually reached the finish. Not with a fast time – he was one of the last – but that didn’t matter. Especially in the last kilometers it was still exciting to see whether he would make it.
Remarkably, a camera crew from AVROTROS helped him through that last part. “I was interviewed there. Without that moment, I don’t know if I would have made it. It gave me motivation, and the cameraman was able to tell how far it was.”
The audience also gave him a final push. “The village where we ran the last kilometers was littered with people. They really carry you over the finish line, especially in that extreme cold.”
Finally, Van Haastrecht emphasizes that good preparation is crucial. He would also like to pass this lesson on to today’s runners. “I think I was wearing tights, had greased my body and had several shirts on. Everything to protect yourself. Oh yes, and try to enjoy it, even though it is very cold.”