Full of energy toward the Utrecht Marathon: a successful running symposium filled with tips and inspiration

During the symposium, moderator and running enthusiast Imo Muller, sports nutrition expert Monique van de Velde, sports psychologist Yara van Gendt, movement scientist Jeroen Hasselaar, and former elite athlete and marathon expert Miranda Boonstra shared their knowledge and experiences on how runners can optimally prepare and improve their performance.

Moderator Imo Muller opened the evening and immediately provided practical tips for race day preparation. Monique van de Velde then took the floor. Drawing on her experience and expertise, she demonstrated how essential nutrition is as a foundation for performance, recovery, and energy balance. She also emphasized the importance of rest and trusting one’s nutritional choices, so that nutrition becomes a powerful tool rather than a limitation.

Next, Yara van Gendt gave a presentation on sports psychology and the role of mental strength in running. She explored how thoughts, focus, and resilience influence performance, and how athletes can better cope with pressure and setbacks.

After a short break, during which attendees had the opportunity to connect over coffee and tea, Jeroen Hasselaar continued the program. He guided the audience through the intersection of sport and science, showing how insights from exercise physiology and biomechanics can contribute to improved performance and a healthier body.

Finally, Miranda Boonstra shared her experiences as a former elite athlete and marathon expert. She provided practical advice on training, progression, and dealing with challenges along the way, emphasizing that every runner requires an individual approach.

The evening concluded with an interactive panel discussion led by Imo Muller, where the different perspectives came together and audience questions were addressed. Key insights included:

• A strong foundation, both physically and mentally, is essential

• Nutrition, training, and recovery must be balanced

• Mental resilience plays a major role in both performance and setbacks

• There is no one-size-fits-all approach; customization is key

• Self-awareness helps in making the right choices in training and preparation

We look back on a highly successful and inspiring evening, where science and practice came together in a meaningful way. We thank all attendees and speakers and look forward to the Utrecht Marathon, starting and finishing at Utrecht Science Park.

Utrecht Science Park

Utrecht Science Park is the largest science park in the Netherlands, with more than 31,000 employees and 55,000 students. Medical centers, knowledge institutions, and companies work closely together here on the development and application of groundbreaking science and solutions in areas such as health and sustainability. Sport and physical activity play an important role in this. We are pleased that the Utrecht Marathon will once again start and finish at Utrecht Science Park, and that the running symposium contributes valuable content to this sporting event.

Utrecht Marathon

On May 31, the Utrecht Marathon will take place, starting and finishing at Utrecht Science Park. On this day, thousands of participants will run various distances through the city of Utrecht and the surrounding area.

Community event

For employees and students of Utrecht Science Park, a special community event will be organized during the Utrecht Marathon. Participants can make use of facilities such as a relaxation area, cloakroom, toilets, and food and drinks. When registering, indicate that you work or study at Utrecht Science Park, and you will automatically receive an invitation.