Last week the decision was made: on 9 and 10 May there will be an alternative Batavierenrace. Bartels' wish to keep the name of the Batavierenrace alive was thus fulfilled. 'It's catching on enormously, because at the moment there is only room for two or three teams. This is very special. What is striking is that a surprising number of participating teams come from Amsterdam. But there are also many registrations from Delft to Groningen,' says Bartels.
From all corners
There is room for sixty teams that may consist of a maximum of thirty participants. Nevertheless, Bartels - who is organizing the event on his own - is already taking into account an expansion of the field of participants. 'Many of the registered teams do not contain thirty people. They participate with ten or twelve participants. That's why I'll see if expansion is possible in a while, because I want to keep the places for 2000 runners.' Bartels says that the deadline of March 31 will simply be adhered to. 'The first registrations will be given priority over participation.'
Batavierenfeest
The regular Batavierenrace has a traditional Batavierenfeest. Whether that will happen is by no means certain. Bartels is investigating the possibilities. 'I want to keep the party alive – just like the race. If this actually happens, it will in any case be less grandiose. The Vestingbar may open its doors, but there will be no gigantic party tent, for example', Bartels cautiously looks ahead to the cases. 'An indoor location is also one of the options. It has to be a central place, so that not everyone has to wander around the campus.'
Busy times
The agenda of Bartels – who studies Creative Business at Saxion University of Applied Sciences – is packed. With only a few months to go, there is still a lot to take care of. 'There are many consultations on the program, many decisions still have to be made. Such as about the exact route and the decoration of the finish line. In short, plenty to do.'
In February, the campaign 'Will you take over the baton?' will start. The action should provide new committee members who will organize the 54th edition of the Batavierenrace.
