Dutch Ambassador runs Loskop
When the Dutch Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Andre Haspels, arrived in the country back in August 2011 he said to his South African friends that he was a long distance runner.
“The first question I was asked: did you run Comrades? I had to say no. Second question: did you run another Ultra, like 2 Oceans, Om die Dam or Loskopdam? I also had to say no.
Then I realized that I was not seen by my South African friends as a serious runner until I ran these races”
Two weekends ago he completed his first ever Loskop Marathon to add to his tally after already accomplished 2 Oceans and Comrades in 2013, Om die Dam and Loskopdam so far this year and will run in his second Comrades on 1 June 2014.
Speaking about the Loskop marathon to the Middelburg Observer this week, Mr Haspels stated that he really enjoyed the atmosphere.
“From the cold, crispy darkness in the morning at Middelburg, the beautiful broad roads with the huge trees on both sides on the outskirts of town, through the hills and the “veld”.
I also enjoyed the encouragement of the people living in the small villages along the road. They really encouraged me in “keep on rolling”.
The race was very well organized, I enjoyed the different waterposts, run by companies, NGOs and communities. And now I am a fan of salted potatoes thanks to the race.
The Loskop marathon is a great preparation for Comrades this year,” stated Mr Haspels.
When asked to draw similarities between our town and Middelburg in the Netherlands, which is the capital of the Province of Zeeland, bordering Belgium in the South, Mr Haspels replied:
“The cities are quite different historically, culturally and economically. A big difference of course is that Middelburg NL is below sea level and has a lot of water (canals, a port, the sea, rivers) , while Middelburg in SA is above sea level, much dryer and surrounded by a beautiful mountain landscape,” he said.
“But for a Dutchman, it is very nice to travel in South Africa and visit cities that also exist in The Netherlands, like Alkmaar, Amsterdam, Ermelo and Middelburg.”
yaseen@mobserver.co.za
