Illustration: Shutterstock The 39th edition of the Veluweloop will continue as planned on 10 October. But in a form that may take some getting used to for repeat participants. A discussion with the GGD (Public Health Services) revealed that the normal format is not viable, chair Thomas Vogelaar declares.
When the traditional format appeared non-viable last week, the organisation of the event had to come up with a new idea in no-time. The revamped Veluweloop consists of two legs rather than the normal twelve. Start and finish are no longer located in Wageningen at sports centre De Bongerd, but on the premises of Vredenoord, near Arnhem.
Each team consists of twelve members, each of whom run a short five-kilometre lap or long ten-kilometre lap. The two routes will partly take place the normal Veluweloop terrain surrounding Vredenoord. The relay format has been abolished. ‘All twelve runners from each team start simultaneously’, Vogelaar explains. ‘Six run the short lap, and six the long one.’
Vogelaar draws a comparison with a team time trial in the Tour de France. ‘The teams start consecutively, each with a thirty-second interval. The individual times are added up for the team total.’ This format gives the organisation room for sixty teams, divided into four groups.
2 hours
Each of the four groups has two hours, including warming up and debriefing, to finish the course, after which the next group starts. This way, Vogelaar says, there will never be more than 250 people present simultaneously at Vredenoord at any given time. This is the maximum number permitted within the limitations of the emergency decree for events.
It is still the Veluweloop. You still run through the Veluwe’s beautiful scenery
Thomas Vogelaar, chair Veluweloop committee
Vogelaar acknowledges that the new format differs radically from the old, where teams are underway together during the entire day. ‘But, in my opinion, it is still the Veluweloop. You still run through the Veluwe’s beautiful scenery. Despite the fact that there is no relay, and that accompanying one another on bicycles is not permitted.’
Cheaper
Thirty-one teams registered for the ‘old’ Veluweloop. ‘We will update all teams on the new format today,’ Vogelaar says. ‘If teams do not like the new format, they have the option to withdraw from the race, and have their registration fee reimbursed.’ The registration fee will be partially refunded to all teams, as the new format is cheaper.