LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

roger · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 531

I just spotted this marathon and very tempted to do it instead of Cologne, especially as the entry fee today is 18 Euros rather than 60 Euros for Cologne.

I saw in the archives one comment from last year that it was a good circuit, does anybody have anything else to say about this marathon?

greazer · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 330 Location: Haarlem

Hello roger,

If you want to know more about the Rotterdam Marathon you could ask the Dutch skaters here:

http://www.inline-skate.nl/ftopict-643.html

Posting in English is no problem.

I have not skated the Rotterdam Marathon myself, but I know some of the Groningen skaters do this one as a "warming up" for the Berlin Marathon.

Cheers,
Andy.

roger · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 531

Thanks Andy,

Kay and I are now registered for Rotterdam. Its a warm-up for Berlin for us too.

roger · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 531

When I woke up on Sunday morning to the sound of rain beating against the hotel windows I feared the worst, but the rain had stopped by 10.00 and although it stayed overcast all day the track was dry by the time we started at 16:30.

The course for the race was a loop through the centre of Rotterdam that we did 4 times, that was nearly pancake flat, with, mostly, excellent surfaces. There were a couple of tight corners at the turn-arounds at each end of the course, but nothing else to worry about.

There were two start blocks at the start of the race with one reserved for Netherlands-registered skaters, and the other for the rest. There weren't separate start times though; it just meant that the registered skaters packed the front of the start line.

I was lucky to be able to get near to the front of the recreational block, so I started just behind the registered skaters. This proved very worthwhile as the course was not wide like Berlin, so getting past people was not so easy.

The race itself was almost a little boring. There was a bit of a sort-out on the first lap, but then the pace line I was in just seemed to grow and grow. I was very comfortable and always looking for the faster line to jump ahead, but my paceline was dominant at its level, and I didn't see anyone successfully go off the front. Indeed on the third lap we caught the only other group that was anywhere near us.

The last lap was a little hairy because we were overtaking a lot of recreational skaters and everyone was jockeying for position for the final sprint. I was feeling really good and with a little luck and a little aggression managed to get in the first 3 of our paceline to cross the line.

My time - sub 1:25 according to my time-keeping, but I am still waiting for the results to be posted.

Ray · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 806 Location: Dagenham

Well done Roger - great result almost as fast as your Engadin 2004 pb! Dry and fast sounds really good compared to the damp that we faced in Cologne.

Great preparation for Berlin!

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5914

Wow. That's amazing. I am expecting some kick arse times for many of us in Berlin. I hope it's dry.

Helen · Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 90 Location: Dagenham

Brilliant time, Roger.

Gavin and Hans, watch out, he's behind you!

Anne-Jelmer · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 7:09 am Subject:

Hello Roger, We talked a tiny bit during the race. Those Londonspeedsuits can't be missed. I am also very pleased with the result. But next time I will take a something to drink with me. Those cups are impossible.

Talking about "next time". If you nee some more warming up for Berlin. There is also a marathon in Rheine in Germany on September the 18th. http://www.isvr.de

roger · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 531

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5914

Since you fall into a more senior group, I don't think it will matter that we don't have an age break down that much. Should give you a lower score but it didn't for me in Hannover. Points calculation over the whole field is 86.80. I have put it into the rankings but it didn't change your overall position though it did up your score quite a bit.

xsfred · Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Posts: 125 Location: Paris

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5914

He's had an age transplant. Very Happy