50 years of RUN Winschoten: from a one-time idea to an international ultrarunning classic
What started in 1976 as a one-time initiative grew into one of the world’s leading ultrarunning events. RUN Winschoten is now much more than a race. It is a household name in the international running world, carried by fifty years of courage, innovation, and commitment.
1975-1976: The idea that set everything in motion
The origins of the RUN lie with athletics club Aquilo. In 1975, chairman Theo de Winter visited the 100 km of Biel in Switzerland, the oldest ultrarun in the world. That visit laid the foundation for an ambitious plan: to organize a 100 km race in Winschoten, to draw attention to the club’s lack of training facilities. On 25 September 1976, the first edition started. 77 athletes ran one large 100 km loop. The name was short, powerful, and forward-looking: RUN. What was intended as a one-time event immediately grew into something bigger. Participants were so enthusiastic that they convinced the organizers to continue holding the RUN annually.
Late 1970s to late 1980s: Searching for the right format
To relieve AV Aquilo, the organization was placed in a separate foundation. During this period, different course formats were tried: two laps of 50 km, later five laps of 20 km. Although the RUN continued to exist, its appeal to both athletes and the public slowly declined. The 1990 edition proved to be a low point and made it clear that change was necessary.
1991: A new beginning
In 1991, a completely new direction was set by the Stichting Ultraloop Winschoten (STUW). In just five months, a renewed RUN was created with a spectacular 10 km course through the center of Winschoten. Start, finish, and passages ran straight through the event hall of cultural center De Klinker.
The course was officially measured by the IAAF, which meant records were recognized. The impact was immediately visible. The 1991 RUN was a great success, with an absolute highlight: a world best time of 6.26.20 by Russian winner Konstantin Santalov.
The relay, launched in 1985, also grew into a crowd favorite with hundreds of teams after the switch to the 10 km course in 1991. The 50 km secured a permanent place as a second ultrarun and produced fast times and course records. For young runners, the LutjeRUN was introduced, which grew into a full-fledged youth event.
1992-2003:
International breakthrough
The RUN grew into a fixed value in the international ultrarunning world. In 1992, the first EEA European Championship 100 km was organized, again with a world best time of 6.16.41 by Belgian Jean-Paul Praet. In the years that followed, several European Championships and World Challenges took place in Winschoten.
In 1995, the IAU World Challenge attracted more than 30,000 spectators. They saw Brazilian Valmir Nunes become champion in 6.18.11. American Ann Trason raced to the title in 7.00.47, then a new world best women’s time. Major international names lined up at the start, and the RUN definitively established its reputation as a stage for ultrarunning at the highest level. Since 1995, the Dutch Championship 100 km has also been held in Winschoten almost every year, making the RUN a fixture nationally as well.
In the past, the RUN organized a number of editions with races for wheelers and race walkers. In 1999 and 2000, the Dutch Championship 50 km race walking was organized. There was little interest in this championship. The wheelers completed the full 100 km. Given the crowding on the course with relay and ultrarunners, a 100 km for wheelers is no longer responsible.
2004-2015: Recognized worldwide
In 2004, Winschoten hosted the very first World Cup 100 km. In 2007, 2011, and 2015, the World Cup, World Masters, and European Championships were combined into a single event. From 2014, the WandelRUN was added, allowing walkers to become part of the RUN weekend as well. The 2015 edition attracted a record number of 374 participants in the 100 km.
2008-present | The course as we know it today
Due to changes in the city, the course was adjusted several times. Since the last major change before the 2015 World Championship, there has been a route that combines clarity, speed, and experience. This course forms the basis for the RUN as it is run today and is expected to be retained in the coming years.
Today | 50 years of international ultrarunning
What began as a local action to draw attention to an athletics club has grown into an international ultrarunning icon. RUN Winschoten stands for world records, championships, an engaged city, and an atmosphere found nowhere else.
Fifty years after the first edition, the RUN is more than a race. It is an experience where sport, history, and the public come together, and where athletes from all corners of the world return to Winschoten every year.