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| Warming up for the big day (left to right): Hugo Fernandes, Ana Barradas and Paul Wieringa from the University of Twente get ready for the Batavieren Race. (Foto: Gijs van Ouwerkerk) |
Later in 1972, students from Nijmegen took part in the race and were so thrilled by the idea of a relay race through the night that they decided to organize a similar event in Holland. Since then, the race has steadily gained in popularity, a fact which is confirmed by the ten times increase in the number of participants over the years and an entry in the Guiness Book of World Records. Besides Holland, the Sola Race has also been an inspiration for a similar race in Switzerland.
Surprisingly, one does not need to be a superior athlete to take part in the competition. The midnight race is as much a social event, as it is a competitive event. It is this eclectic mix of fun, team spirit and competition which draws people from all over Europe. Another big attraction is the post-race party. `People do not need to participate in the race to enjoy the party,' says Tonnie Buitink, one of the main organizers of the event. He says more than 103,000 euros are spent on the party alone and around 120,000 people are expected to attend. The party has the reputation of being one of the largest student parties in Europe. Buitink: `The security for the event is our biggest challenge. In addition to our own campus security, we have 80 workers, and we've hired 20 private security officers to guarantee that law and order is maintained. Absolutely no efforts are spared to ensure that the event runs smoothly. We consider it a matter of pride that the University of Twente has the honor of hosting this event, and the satisfaction that we get when all goes according to plans is something which is difficult to describe.'
Ana Barradas, originally from Portugal and a PhD student in the Tissue Regeneration group, plans to participant in the race. `This is the second time I'm running in the race, and I am really excited. Last year, I had to run at four in the morning. It was cold and dark, but the thrill of participating in an event of such a scale made it worth staying up all night. This year, I will be running the last leg of the race from the city center of Enschede to the university and unlike last year, people will be standing on the sidelines cheering me on.' Barradas has been training on her own by going regularly to the gym, or on days when the weather is good, for a run outside. `I had a speed of 11 kms per hour last year, and I would like to maintain it,' she says. The morning after running in the race last year, Barradas fell asleep for a few hours. `I had to be fresh again for the whole night of partying. I met a lot of people and made new friends. This is what motivates me to take part in the race for a second year in a row.'
Paul Wieringa, a researcher who studies neural electrodes in the Biomedical Signals and Systems group, is a sports enthusiast. A Dutch-born runner who grew up in Canada, Wieringa has participated in relay races during his undergraduate days at the University of British Columbia. However, he says, the concept of the Batavieren Race- running through the night and the post-race party afterwards— is very unique. `I especially like the team atmosphere of the race even though most people would consider running an individual sport. You're still essentially competing with yourself, but you have the camaraderie of having a team.' Last year, Wieringa ran 8 kms in 30 minutes. This year he has upped the ante and hopes to run 11 kms in the same amount of time.
On April 26, the UT will be transformed with party tents, live bands and many sleep-deprived people. Some may call it a sleepover without any sleep, but in Holland, it is known as the Batavieren Race.
For updates on the Batavieren Race, visit the website: www.batavierenrace.nl/en
