Rotterdam Marathon Team

The momentum keeps building!

On 15 April 2012, the 122-member RSM Marathon Team sprinted, loped, jogged and occasionally walked through the streets of Rotterdam during the ABN AMRO Marathon Rotterdam. Organised by RSM Corporate and Alumni Relations (CAR) under the slogan ‘I WILL Keep RSM Running Strong!’ the annual RSM-wide team event is designed to strengthen the RSM community.

From its 10-member jumpstart in 2010, interest in the event has grown exponentially. In 2011 a total of 61 members of the RSM community – alumni and students, staff and faculty – participated. For 2012, that number doubled. This initiative has more bounce than a barefoot runner’s stride.

RSM shows its pride and commitment

“I feel a lot of pride that this large group committed to showing off RSM’s spirit this year,” says Connie Tai, Director CAR. “They are all running towards the same goal – ‘I WILL Keep RSM Running Strong’ – which was the first initiative to take RSM’s I WILL movement to the streets of Rotterdam,” she says.

 

I WILL be resourceful

Connie Tai came up with the Marathon idea in February 2010, a short eight weeks in advance of the first ‘I WLL Keep RSM Running Strong’ event.  It was sparked by a confluence of needs and opportunities.  At the time she was looking for ways to build alumni interest in the RSM Annual Fund, which provides support for such innovative student-oriented activities as the Green Master Thesis award.

The desire of alumni for new network-building opportunities was forefront on her mind, too. And the I WILL social ‘commitment’ movement had just been launched by the School, and seemed a natural fit for fundraising.  Added to that was the renewed popularity of running a low-cost post-Crisis alternative to an expensive gym membership.

A Rotterdam-centric initiative

There was more at stake.  Connie Tai was looking for a way to strengthen the relationship, integration and identity of the School with the City of Rotterdam. “CAR is in the relationship business, and it’s all about bonding. What could be better than a sports event?” she asks. “Everyone can take part. It’s an event that connects alumni, faculty, students, staff, and the larger context of Rotterdam.” 

Everyone’s a winner

Each member of the RSM Marathon Team had a special reason for taking part in the ABN AMRO Marathon Rotterdam, whether they ran the 5km, 10km, or full Marathon.  Families turned out to see team members run, and sometimes to participate.  “I want to run my first marathon along with my mother,” said Anouk van der Linden, daughter of RSM staff member Laura van der Linden.

“It’s nice to train as part of a group, see the City of Rotterdam, and get acquainted with other RSM people,” said 10K participant Hans Koolwijk (EMBA 2013). “Plus I’m addicted to sports!”

Full-time International MBA 2013 participant Bhawna Menghnani, meanwhile, said she was running “to encourage everyone to give to the Annual Fund. It’s a great initiative. Even my husband is running,” she laughed. “I made him join the RSM team!”

RSM MBA Registrar Lesley Ann Calvert may have summed it up best in her motivation statement: “Everyone who steps up to the start line is a winner!”

CAR goes the extra mile

Like a dedicated long-distance runner, each year CAR has been pushing to improve its performance, and enhance the experience of the RSM Marathon Team. For 2012, critical mass made for economies of scale. Group trainings with a professional sports trainer from Erasmus University were organised, and this year sportswear manufacturer CRAFT offered wholesale prices for customised (and sleekly handsome) ‘I WILL Keep RSM Running Strong!’ running shirts.

“I guess you can say CAR went the extra mile this year,” said CAR team member Nicole Eshuis as she stood on the sidelines of the Coolsingel, the main route for all Rotterdam Marathon runners, ready to take snapshots of the Team.  As Lee Towers, Rotterdam’s answer to Tony Bennet, began a live rendition of his 1976 hit ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, she smiled. “We’ve got some great ideas for next year. I hope we can double the size of the team again!”

Fastest RSM runner in the 5km event Carina Bravo Plancarte (25m31s); fastest RSM runner in the 10km event Sjoerd Diepstraten (39m21s); fastest RSM runner in the marathon event Jorge Herrera Lozano (3h38m05s), closely followed by Shara Darr (3h39m34s).

See the RSM Marathon Team’s times.

The RSM runners were invited to celebrate their performance the day after the event with a small reception. Many attended wearing their event medallions, and the notable performers were presented with a bottle of prosecco by RSM Dean, Steef van de Velde.

RSM’s fastest marathon runner Jorge Herrera Lozano (FTMBA2013) (3h38m05s), running his second marathon, said: “I took 24 minutes off my first marathon time, and I really enjoyed it. The feeling amongst the crowd was really nice,” he commented.

Close behind Jorge was Shara Darr (MScGBSM2012) (3h39m34s), running her first marathon and exceeding her goal time, “I’m very happy!” she said. “I ran all through school and always loved it, but stopped for a few years. But it’s part of who I am so I have really enjoyed starting again,” she commented.

The Marathon has proved to be a milestone event in the lives of all of its participants, no matter what distance they chose to run. Nan Zhan (FTMBA2013) was taking part in her first ever running event, and took the 5km run as a personal challenge. “This is a time for me to explore new things in my life, to see if I can make progress. It’s a way to know yourself,” she said. She said she felt a great sense of self-satisfaction at taking part in the Rotterdam Marathon event, and completing it in 40 minutes.

See all pictures on the RSM Annual Fund Facebook page

To find out more about CAR events, including how to keep RSM running strong by donating or running, please contact Nicole Eshuis neshuis@remove-this.rsm.nl.