Erik Folbert runs 12 marathons, in 12 months for charity!

Discover the inspiring story of Erik Folbert, the man from Ternaard who is taking on the challenge this year to run a marathon every month in each province of the Netherlands, all in support of a good cause.

Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Erik Folbert. Currently 41, I’m turning 42 this year. I reside in Ternaard with my wife and three sons, a quiet little village nestled at the northern edge of Friesland along the Waddenzee. My foremost passion is running, which is why I’ve committed myself to this initiative.

What initiative have you set up for the charity Spieren voor Spieren?
As an avid runner, I thrive on challenges to keep me motivated. Turning 42 in 2024, a significant number in the running world due to the marathon’s 42-kilometer length, sparked an idea. Having ran several marathons before, completing just one in a year didn’t feel like a substantial challenge. Additionally, I’ve long harbored the desire to run a marathon in each province of the Netherlands. Hence, I decided to combine both ideas. This year, I will run a marathon each month in the 12 provinces, tying it to a charitable cause for added purpose.

You support Spieren voor Spieren; do you have a personal connection to this charity?
While I don’t have a personal connection, I resonate deeply with Spieren voor Spieren’s philosophy. They aim to mobilize people to utilize their healthy muscles to benefit children with muscle diseases. The funds raised support vital treatments and research conducted at treatment centers like those in Utrecht and Nijmegen. For me, it’s a perfect match, as I’ll be putting my muscles to work for children with muscle disease.

How is the charity campaign progressing so far?
In January, I completed my first marathon, and by the end of February, I finished my second. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Initially, I didn’t anticipate how much funding we could raise. I set my goal at €2.024, but I’m already nearing €1.500!

Can you share about your first marathon experience?
My inaugural marathon was in Eindhoven back in 2012. It went quite smoothly, with a steady pace maintained throughout. The second half was almost as fast as the first! Over the years, I’ve ran one or two marathons annually, with varying degrees of success. I’ve faced challenges, from pacing issues to adverse weather conditions, but I’ve gained ample experience along the way.

How did you come across the KPMG Lentemarathon?
Planning to run one marathon in each province per month presented quite a puzzle when it came to selecting races. Having already participated in the Amsterdam Marathon in North Holland, I sought a new challenge and stumbled upon the KPMG Lentemarathon. It seemed like an excellent opportunity, given its scenic route, hence my choice.

How do you prepare for the Lentemarathon with 12 marathons in a year?
Three weeks before the Lentemarathon, I’ll be running a 50km race in South Holland. Between these races, it’s crucial to prioritize rest and recovery training to ensure peak condition for the next event. If my body feels good, I focus on speed training, as get plenty of long days of endurance training during the marathons themselves.

Do you have any specific goals for the KPMG Lentemarathon?
Certainly, finishing is a primary objective, but I also aim to relish the surroundings and maintain a steady pace. Each province offers unique natural landscapes, and I intend to savor every moment. I’m particularly looking forward to exploring the Amsterdamse Bos and the banks of the Amstel during this marathon.

Are there any athletes who inspire you?
While I don’t have specific athletes in mind, I deeply admire individuals who exhibit passion, dedication, and resilience in their sports endeavors. It’s the sports moments themselves, rather than the personalities, that truly inspire me.

For instance, at last year’s World Athletics Championships, on the first day, both Sifan Hassan and Femke Bol fell just meters before the finish line, seeing their hopes of winning the gold medal fade away. However, throughout the tournament, they managed to bounce back. Sifan Hassan even went on to win a silver medal, while Femke Bol showcased her outstanding performance in the 4x400m relay, overtaking everyone from the third position to secure gold for the Netherlands. I truly admire how they emerged even stronger after facing setbacks, exceeding expectations.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with fellow runners?
Above all, enjoy your hobby! Regardless of distance or pace, the essence lies in relishing every moment. Running is accessible nearly anywhere, anytime, so lace up your shoes, step out the door, choose a scenic route, and revel in the experience.

If you want to follow Erik’s adventures and perhaps support the good cause, visit his action page: https://www.sportenvoorspieren.nl/fundraisers/erik-folbert

Challenges, Ambitions, and Inspiration

We spoke with Kevin Nicola, a passionate runner and personal trainer from Ossendrecht, who discovered his love for running during COVID. He is pursuing his ambition to complete the KPMG Lentemarathon in under 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Can you introduce yourself? And how did you get involved in the Lentemarathon?
I’m Kevin Nicola, 34 years old, residing in Ossendrecht. Engaged for half a year and a father to Jax, almost 2.5 years old. I work as a personal trainer in Hoogerheide and am on a mission online to make running enjoyable and accessible. The KPMG Lentemarathon is new to me; I was looking for an early event to prepare for multiple marathons in the summer, and this one fit perfectly into my schedule.

Do you have any experience with marathons, and if so, could you tell us about it?
Yes, I’ve ran two marathons. My first marathon went surprisingly well. I had no expectations and mainly hoped to finish it. In October, I did my second marathon, which was much tougher. I had trained less and experienced cramps for the entire last 17km. I knew it could happen, but it was a less-than-enjoyable experience. It was a significant mental victory because I did finish it.

How are you currently preparing for the Lentemarathon?
Currently, I run 4 to 5 times a week, with 80% of my runs at an easy pace, in zone 2, to improve my endurance. In between, I try to do both interval training and progressive runs to train in other zones and work on speed.

Are those training sessions going as planned for you at the moment?
It’s going quite well, also because I believe not 100% of your training sessions can go perfectly. I always keep in mind that one-third of your workouts go according to plan, one-third are a bit challenging, and one-third go very poorly or don’t work at all. But for now, I’m satisfied with how it’s going.

Do you have specific challenges for the Lentemarathon, and what strategies do you plan to use?
My ambitious goal is to complete the marathon in less than 3 hours and 15 minutes, half an hour faster than my best time ever. The biggest challenge is maintaining that pace. I want to run a negative split, where my second half is faster than the first, so I have to be careful not to push myself too hard because the pace might be too high. But I believe that if you really want something, you can achieve it.

What are your future plans in running after the Lentemarathon?
My first marathon was about challenging myself, crossing a mental threshold to do something I never expected I would do. By the end of next year, I’m considering running from my hometown Ossendrecht to my friend’s place in Groningen, who lives about 300km away. We want to do it in a week, almost running 7 marathons in 7 days, pushing another boundary.

Are there specific athletes who inspire you?
Absolutely! American athletes like Nick Bare, Matt Choi, and Jeremy Miller inspire me. They are runners who started running as a personal challenge and are now trying to spread the running virus through social media. That’s what I’m trying to do in the Netherlands now.

How do you share your passion for running on social media?
I want to make running fun and accessible for everyone. On my social media, @coachkevinnicola, I share videos for beginners who want to train for their own ‘couch to 5k’. Additionally, I provide insights into my own journey to various events and share general tips for both speed and endurance.

How do you combine your passion for running with your work as a personal trainer?
Planning is essential. I often work at the gym in the mornings and evenings, so I have time during the day to train. I try to pre-record videos for my social media, and I also engage in online coaching. It’s part of my job.

What would you like to share with other runners?
Listen to your body, trust the process, and have patience. I think running is not something that happens quickly; it’s a process over the years. It’s a bit of discipline and consistency, so just keep going! 

Bas Stigter, owner Runnersworld Amsterdamse Bos, was not only a partner of the KPMG Lentemarathon 2023, but also successfully defended his title in the half marathon. We spoke to Bas about his remarkable achievement.

”It was a top day,” said half-marathon winner Bas Stigter. Bas not only won the half marathon, but also in a better time than expected. ”I was hoping to run under 1 hour and 10 minutes, but I ended up with a time of 1 hour, 9 minutes and 8 seconds.”

Bas also enjoyed the many familiar faces of customers he saw along the side to encourage him and on the course as fellow runners. It was a feast of recognition as Bas had trained at almost every point on the course.

When asked if he would participate again next year, he could only say one thing: “100%! Perhaps to defend his title again at the half marathon, but he might also have a surprise up his sleeve and go for the whole marathon in Amstelveen next year.

Finally, we asked him if he would recommend others to participate next year. The answer was clear: “I can really recommend it to anyone to participate. We will also help promote with Runnersworld again, because it’s great to see people coming to your shop for advice or to see so many enthusiastic runners at the start line on Sunday.”

Once again, we would like to congratulate Bas on his achievement and thank him for his time. If, like Bas, you would like to take part in the 2024 KPMG Lentemarathon, you can pre-register now!

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The KPMG Lentemarathon 2023 was completely sold out. Don’t miss the next edition and claim your spot now!

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