Foreword
General
Dear participant,
In this digital participants booklet you will find all necessary information about the 54th Batavierenrace. You can navigate between all information by using the different headings on the left side.
Please read 'Important Information' carefully before starting the race!
If you have any questions you can contact the information desk as of Friday, May 8th, 12:00 am.
They can be reached by phone at (053-489) 3787 or you can ask them a question via Whatsapp at +316-58015344.
Chairman 54th Organizing Committee: Jeroen van Loon
Welcome to the 54th edition of the Batavierenrace!
Dear participants, crew, and partygoers,
After an alternative 53rd edition, we, the Organizing Committee, are proud to be able to bring back the Batavierenrace in its original form. We can’t wait to welcome back familiar runners and let a whole new generation of students experience what has made this race so special for years: a weekend you won’t easily forget!
Whether you hear the starting gun in Nijmegen, find yourself in the middle of the night on a deserted road in Germany, watch the sun rise over a field, or have the honor of crossing the finish line in Enschede (in appropriate costume, of course). For 54 years, this race has been for and by students, and this year, you’re part of it too.
What you’ll experience this weekend is only possible thanks to the dedication of so many people behind the scenes. Our staff and committees have been working toward this for a long time, and our volunteers dring the race are unreplaceable. Additionally, this edition wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Foundation Board, our sponsors and partners, the participating municipalities, Radboud University, and the University of Twente. Finally, I would also like to mention my own Organizing Committee: Stijn, Lasse, Esri, Line, and Wes. Together, we have worked day in and day out over the past year to make this edition possible.
On behalf of the 54th Organizing Committee, I wish you an unforgettable weekend and hope you enjoy the 54th Batavierenrace to the fullest!
Mariska van Sprundel
A lifetime of running: From student years to daily fulfillment
The student years are often considered the most beautiful time of one's life. It's a period of personal growth, and sometimes, due to all the beers and parties, even physical growth. In 2004, I began studying biology in Utrecht. Once I moved into my own place, I started to get the hang of student life. Beers and plates of pasta pesto came flying in at a rapid pace, and physical activity wasn't a top priority back then. My time was mostly dedicated to studying.
Amidst all the partying, there was also the need to earn study credits, and I took that seriously. Achieving passing grades meant studying hard. I never skipped a lecture. Once settled in my new place and on track with my studies, I felt it was time to get back into sports, to boost my fitness. I chose running, partly because a fellow student living nearby was keen on training together. We printed out a random schedule and hit the pavement three times a week. The first training went as expected – after ten minutes, we had to stop to catch our breath and let the side stitches subside. But with each session, we made progress. We named our two-person running club 'Boeien' – after one kilometer, we turned as red as a buoy, and we didn't care.
During my student years, I participated twice in the Batavierenrace with a team from my student association, U.S. Histos. What I remember is running the night leg, followed by a morning leg, with a few hours of 'sleep' in between. Team name? I don't remember. What has stuck with me is the grandeur of the event, the massive number of participants, the lively atmosphere, with the entire team in the van crisscrossing to be on time for the relays. And the fatigue. I must confess that after a night of staying up and two exhausting legs, I didn't make it to the party.
Sometimes, you just know that you've started something that won't end anytime soon. I've been running for seventeen years now, and it's no longer just for physical maintenance. It brings me much more than a healthy body. Running provides a satisfaction I can't compare to anything else. It has become a central element in my life, something I do almost daily without questioning it. I train for marathons, go trail running in the Alps during summers, participate in winter cross-country races, and in between, there's always a road race where I try to improve my time.
For the mind, running is an immediate reward, making it a goal in itself. After a day of work, a head full of to-dos, and then, bam, outside to let everything slide off. After about fifteen minutes, I find my rhythm. Every four steps, an inhalation, followed by four steps in exhalation. My tense office shoulders sway loosely along. In my head, the daily chaos is gradually replaced by flowing thoughts about various things. Once home, it's as if a new day has begun.
Problems are put into perspective, turning out to be no real problems in the end. One sport, with so many facets. I can't imagine ever quitting.
Merlijn van der Velde
From time in college to daily satisfaction
For many students, the Batavierenrace is something wonderful to look forward to every year. Pushing yourself to the limit alongside your team, all in a special atmosphere. I wish everyone the best of luck, but above all, have fun!
As a student and an athlete, I know that balancing academics and sports can sometimes be a challenge. Yet I’ve found that they can actually reinforce each other. Running helps me clear my head and gives me a sense of fulfillment, which allows me to focus better on my studies.
My advice is: try to stay consistent and don’t let running feel like a chore. Having fun should always come first.
Enjoy it!
Chairman Batavierenrace Foundation: Gijs Verburg
Finally, a real BATA again!
After a year in which we had to do things a little differently, it’s back: the Batavierenrace as we know and love it. The legendary relay race that has been connecting students, challenging them athletically, and bringing them joy for decades.
Soon, the starting shot for the 54th Batavierenrace will ring out in Nijmegen. The adventure begins at Radboud University and ends 175 kilometers later on the campus of the University of Twente. Straight through the night, over roads, dikes, and through villages, via Germany and the Achterhoek—driven by team spirit, persistence, and a healthy dose of humor.
The Batavierenrace is much more than just running. It’s sitting together in a van in the middle of the night. It’s cheering on your teammate along a dark country road. It’s showing up at the start in a playful costume, or pushing yourself to the limit for a fast time. It’s rivalry between universities, but above all, it’s about sharing adventures together.
And then that moment: the first teams turning onto the track on campus. The engines are rumbling, deafening cheers along the track, tired but proud runners covering the final meters. Goosebumps, every single time.
This race exists thanks to the tremendous dedication of a fantastic six-member organizing committee, various committees, and hundreds of volunteers who have worked together toward this climax. But ultimately, the Batavierenrace is made a success by you: the runners, coaches, supporters, and partygoers.
Whether you’re here for a personal record, the camaraderie with your team, or the biggest student party in the Netherlands—enjoy every moment of this adventure.
On behalf of the foundation board, I wish you all a fantastic Batavierenrace.