This year, AV Startbaan, the Amstelveen athletics club and partner of the KPMG Lentemarathon, is celebrating a special milestone: its 50th anniversary! We spoke to the club about their anniversary year, fond memories and their involvement in the KPMG Lentemarathon.
First of all, congratulations on the 50th anniversary! How does it feel to reach this milestone?
Fantastic! This anniversary gives many members a warm feeling. Over 50 members have been with the club for more than 25 years and have a close relationship with the club. That shows how strong our club is.
AV Startbaan has a lot of youth. Getting children to enjoy sport in an active way is very important. In all age categories we have teams competing in track competitions, it’s a wonderful way to spend a weekend day. Besides the youth, we have a large group of adults who focus on long distances, from 5 km to a marathon. And for the real fanatics? Those go even further! Think of the Spartathlon, a 245 km ultra-race from Athens to Sparta, or trail runs of more than 50 km.
What moments from the past 50 years still give you a big smile today?
AV Startbaan organises several big events every year, such as the Dutch Relay Championships on the track, the Midsummer Night Cross in the Amsterdamse Bos and, of course, the KPMG Lentemarathon. Every time, it is wonderful to see how many people enjoy those races and that makes us proud and makes us smile.
How are you tackling the festive year? Have there already been any special moments or things planned that you can look forward to?
The whole of 2025 is dedicated to our 50th anniversary. At every event, we clearly show that we are celebrating. The KPMG Lentemarathon kicks off the celebratory year, where we set up an anniversary tent on the Stadsplein as a meeting place for current and former members of AV Startbaan. We will also welcome all walkers and create a special jubilee moment on our track over which the half and full marathon run: every 50th runner who passes the jubilee arch can pick up a surprise at our tent on the Stadsplein after his/her finish.
We will also organise a reunion for members and former members on 24 May, the big Jubilee party for all members on 28 June and a reception for invited guests on 4 July. It will be a year to remember!
How did you get involved in the KPMG Lentemarathon?
In 2016, four members of AV Startbaan’s ‘Long distance group’ picked up the idea of organising their own marathon. Publicly, they were supported in this by Amstelveenz and for the organisation, they mainly called on clubmates, family and friends. This resulted in the first Lentemarathon in April 2017. Actually, this was an instant success with a total of about 1,500 participants. 118 runners ran in a blue KPMG shirt, from the following years KPMG also started supporting the Lentemarathon financially. This year is already the 7th edition.
As an club, what are you most proud of in this partnership?
We see a nice, natural growth in the cooperation between the Amstelveen municipality, KPMG, Spinn Sports and AV Startbaan. That growth creates more brand awareness and more and more participants. That in turn opens new doors for the future!
The course runs on your track. What is the atmosphere always like on the course during the KPMG Lentemarathon?
It is always very pleasant on our course. Supporters know that too and therefore like to come and watch us. The water station of course provides some extra excitement and this year, of course, the anniversary arch as mentioned earlier.
How do AV Startbaan members pitch in during the marathon?
Everywhere! You will meet Startbaners at the water posts, as traffic controllers, microphonists and medal handlers. We are proud that so many members are doing their bit.
What message do you have for everyone who will soon be at the start?
Enjoy everything: the course, the atmosphere and your own performance. Our ultimate tip: don’t start too fast, take gels or dextrose for the road and save some energy for the last few metres. When you turn onto the Rembrandtweg towards the finish, give it your all one last time and fall into the arms of your friends, family or club mates in satisfaction!
Have you become enthusiastic? Come and train with us on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays or Sundays at AV Startbaan