Amsterdam half marathon

Morpeth’s Jason Dawson travelled to Amsterdam to take part in the annual half marathonon Sunday 20th Octoner 2019. Run on the same day as the full marathon, the two events have certainly gained in popularity with athletes from Britain, Europe and further afield, both for the flat courses and the opportunity to relax in the welcoming Dutch city afterwards.

The full marathon is run over the 1926 Olympic marathon course, starting and finishing in the stadium,
while the half takes in much of the full route and also culminates in a stadium finish.
They even find time to squeeze in an 8.5k run through the Vondel Park between the two events!

In a race won in near perfect 12 degree conditions with no wind by a Swede, Marcus Aberg, in 1:06:35 with a Frenchman second and a Spaniard third,  Dawson’s trip was certainly worth the journey as he had a fine run and a personal best, finishing the 13.1 miles in a time of 1:22:18 for 137th place.

The full marathon incidentally was won by Vincent Kipchumba in 2:05:09
​and the women’s race by Degitu Azimeraw in 02:19:26.