While it rained heavily last year during the Dam tot Damloop, this year a warm, sun-drenched edition was predicted. Earlier this week the temperature seemed to rise so high that Le Champion, the organization behind the run, even took the necessary precautions.
In 2019 it was about 25 degrees during the run. That turned out to be much too hot for some athletes. At the beginning of the afternoon, Le Champion decided to stop the run. More than 4,000 runners who had yet to start were no longer allowed to start.
Last red button
In an attempt to prevent runners from overheating again, the time measurements have already been canceled to discourage participants from running too fast. In addition, additional drinking stations and cooling pools will be placed along the route. There is also more time between the different starting times, which gives the emergency services more time and space to provide medical assistance.
Ending the race early is also a possibility. “That is a last red button that you can press if there are no other ways out,” says race director Jan-Willem Mijderwijk. NH Sports. “But with the measures we have taken we hope to prevent that.”
However, Michderwijk does not rule out that scenario. “That happens when healthcare really can no longer cope. We want to avoid having to use regular healthcare. We hire healthcare and we actually just have to make do with those people. We are positive about a good outcome, but It is something that concerns us.”
Closures
The Dam tot Damloop starts on the Prins Hendrikkade, from where the runners run to Noord via the IJ tunnel. Just like the Nieuwe Leeuwarderweg, these roads are closed on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
It is also not possible to drive into the center by car via Waterlooplein and Doelensluis. An entry ban in the direction of Rokin and Damrak applies to these streets from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Traffic that is already within the closed area can leave the center via Paleisstraat, Rokin and Vijzelstraat.
The Dam tot Damloop can be followed live on Sunday AT5. In the morning from 10 a.m. you can see how the top athletes are doing, in the afternoon from 1 p.m. we follow the recreational runners.