We spoke with Janneke Fontein of KPMG Lentemarathon, an enthusiastic runner who has participated in the Spring Marathon 3 times before.
Can you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Janneke Fontein, I have been working as a consultant at KPMG within the Governance, Risk and Compliance Services team for 2,5 years now. Besides my work I like to be active, with all kinds of sporting hobbies including running!
How did you get involved in running?
Running has always been a hobby of mine, because for me it’s the perfect way to clear my head after a working day and re-energize. I alternate short and longer distances. The KPMG Lentemarathon makes running even more fun because it’s a concrete goal and training together with colleagues for a goal still gives some extra motivation!
How many times have you participated in the KPMG Lentemarathon?
This will be my third time participating in the KPMG Lentemarathon. The first two times I ran the 10 km, this year I am going for a new challenge: my first half marathon! Pretty exciting, but for that very reason extra fun to do this together with colleagues, some of whom are also running their first half marathon.
What do you like best about this event?
First of all, the organization of the KPMG Lentemarathon is super, there are refreshment points, the route is clearly marked and there are different distances (kidsrun, 5, 10, half marathon, marathon or a walk), so there is something for everyone! At some distances you run through the Amsterdamse Bos, one of my personal favorites.
In addition, the KPMG Café, where we get together with colleagues, is of course a plus. Here there is always a lunch ready and drinks at the end, so we can toast our performance together. But what I like most of all is being able to do this together with my colleagues. Everyone runs at their own pace, but it still feels like a team effort; everyone goes for it and encourages each other. And the support along the side from colleagues (and others) completes it!
Does it make you extra motivated now that you can run with colleagues and you are the main sponsor of this event?
Definitely! My KPMG heart always beats a little faster when I see all the KPMG shirts! Furthermore, it is also nice to be able to share the preparations with colleagues. In our shared chat, we motivate each other to go for a run after work, realize that the Lentemarathon “is pretty fast anyway,” and share our sorrows when a workout didn’t go quite right: “I was a slug again today.”
Do you have any tips for beginning runners or people who want to run the KPMG Lentemarathon for the first time?
My main tip is to ask colleagues or friends to come along, running together makes it more sociable and is good for motivation. Furthermore, training together is also extra fun. For the day itself, I recommend trying to run at your own pace.
Do you have any specific goals for the KPMG Lentemarathon 2025?
My goal is to run the half marathon at a steady pace. I sometimes start too fanatically which causes me to break down quickly, so this time I want to spread my pace well over the entire distance. And of course: have a great day with my colleagues!
Would you like to come and work at KPMG?
If you would also like to work for an employer where employee vitality is important, check out their vacancies on the KPMG website.
