Kustmarathon, Netherlands – October 4th, 2025
The North Sea Flood in 1953 caused devastating loss of life across the east cost of England and the southwest Netherlands, and resulted in significant improvements to coastal defence and flood management in both countries. Whilst the UK has it’s Thames barrier, the Dutch commissioned a huge series of dams, locks and storm surge barriers in a series of engineering developments known as the Delta Works to prevent such a disaster from occurring again. Incorporated into these works is the ‘Oosterscheldkering’, completed in 1986, and this structure features prominently in Zeeland’s Kustmarathon race route running between Burgh-Haamstede and Zoutelande.
Funnily enough, a storm surge barrier located on the southwest coast of the Netherlands also cops the wind a little bit. Consequently, the Kustmarathon now bills itself as ‘the toughest and most beautiful’ in the Netherlands, and when conditions allow the Dutch also like to take to their bikes in the national headwind championships along the same stretch of road.
The week before the race the official warnings started to filter through regarding Storm Amy, although rather than cancelling the officials just seemed to get more delighted with every press release. The term ‘heroic conditions’ was bandied about. As it happened, the day of the race dawned with the promised rain blowing through to reveal the odd patch of sunshine, and the double-denimed weather presenter looked almost apologetic as she described winds of only 100km/h.
The race wound its way through town and into the forests of Westenschouwen pleasantly enough. Then, cresting the dunes, the full force of a North Sea breeze whacked us in the chops. Legs windmilled wonkily against the cross wind for a mercifully short stretch of sand, and then we climbed the ramp to the barrier. Race tactics demanded that you find a bunch to run with, but pacing was, to be fair, challenging. Run at your own pace, with the wind shrieking through your ears as you lean to the right at a 45-degree angle; or seek shelter on the leeward flank, accepting the fine misty coating of your competitors tears and snot?
Laughing hysterically, runners are directed back to the beach for a five mile stretch at just about the halfway mark. The tarmac of the storm barrier at least offers surety of footing – now the sinking sand sucked your feet in a multitude of directions as you skipped through stranded jelly fish that were surprising resilient to a misplaced foot. Fine grains of sand impregnate any available orifice left exposed to the elements.
Mile 17, and the beach recedes. Runners congratulate themselves on getting back to the coastal path and promenade. What everyone wants at this point is a few flights of stairs.
Finally, with one mile to run, cheerful marshals, clinging on to metal handrails for dear life, direct you back to the beach. The groynes provide a final navigational challenge, and the surrounding crowds gleefully anticipate your demise. The finish down the Laangstraat in Zoutelande is suitably impressive though – plenty of people in the area seem to get stuck in to supporting the event and the surrounding activities on Kustmarathon weekend, and the organisation is superb. I reckon it was less than 40m from the finish line to the bar, by which point you had been presented with your participant medal (boo!!!), t-shirt and an array of complimentary hot and cold drinks.
Five of us took part, Simon Flitter having decided it was a bit too much for his aging hips. His ‘support’ on the course was much appreciated by all of us though. And a big thank you to Greg for driving us there and back – his increasingly frenetic attempts to answer the border guard’s simple questions relating to ownership of the vehicle kept us entertained for hours.
Winners – Tim Pleitje (2:55:58) and Annemiek van Kooten (3:21:52)
13th Greg Hopkinson, 3:07:50
80th Colin Davenport, 3:31:57
933rd Daniel Ashcroft, 4:37:43
1290th Jack Cummins, 4:55:29
1847th Dennis Belbin, 5:40:46
