A clear blue sky and a pleasant temperature. Nothing stands in the way of the Drenthe Runners today to go for a nice run. The team participates in the Roparun, an event in which runners cover more than 500 kilometers to raise money for charity. Today they pass through our province.
Around a quarter past nine, the team passes through Sleen. “Good morning”, an enthusiastic participant shouts. She is one of four runners who alternate every two kilometers. The other three are in the van, resting. “We park the car further on and wait there to catch the runner. Then someone else takes over,” says the driver.
The group has already spent quite a few hours on it. Yesterday the trip started from the airport in Twente. They walk day and night. The route runs along the German border and this morning they reached Drenthe. Then they continue to Rotterdam, where the finish is. The goal for these four fighters is to reach Dalen around eleven o’clock in the morning. “There we rest and exchange with the B team.” These are four other team members who then cover part of the kilometers.
The income they collect from the course is used to support people with cancer. “We do that with 212 other teams in total,” explains team captain Arnold Heerts. “The money is intended for the group of people with cancer who receive palliative care. They can no longer recover, but the budget can be used to make the last phase more pleasant. For example, they can get a pampering day.”
Once departed from Sleen, the journey continues in the direction of Dalen. The sun is shining nicely now and the first change after two kilometers outside the village takes place. They don’t have a relay baton, so they give each other a high-five. “I think we’ll switch a few more times,” explains the driver. The next runner has already left. “Time to move on to the next spot.”