Koen Naert will not run a marathon this autumn: “Working on speed in short races”

The Ekiden, a Japanese tradition, consists of 5, 10, 5, 10, 5 and 7 kilometers. Naert covered ten kilometers. His team finished first of more than 800 teams in 2:11:45. CS Dyle from Walloon Brabant was second in 2:13:44. Also among the women, the Brussels Excelsior was boss in 2:41:44. AV Roeselare was second in 2:50:20.

Afterwards, the former European champion revealed his plans for the coming months. “This winter I want to work on my basic speed and run shorter races,” he said.

Family first

“After the European Championships, I went on holiday to Italy with my family,” says Naert. “I wanted to run about three times a week, but if the holiday plans didn’t work out, I would skip the training. My family has already made so many sacrifices that they could now come first. After three weeks of rest I started to build up again, but three weeks ago I had corona and I was allowed to start again. Training is not going the way I want yet. I think I need another two or three weeks to get to a solid basic level to get.”

No autumn marathon

An autumn marathon is not planned at Naert. “This winter I want to work on my basic speed and run shorter races,” it sounds. “I would like to be very good at the Zevenheuvelenloop, but it may be a bit tight after that corona.” The Dutch classic over fifteen kilometers through Nijmegen will take place on November 20. In the spring of 2023, Naert plans a new marathon. “But which one that will be has not yet been determined,” he says.

“Originally I thought of a game very early in the year, but now I’m a bit behind schedule. At the European Championships I learned that after three months of training you can be 99 percent, but not 100,” concludes Naert.