Succesful first Utrecht Science Park Night Run marks the start of a new tradition

An almost full moon shines over the Utrecht Science Park, lit up with colorful lights. In the distance, a DJ warms up the crowd. Tonight, the Utrecht Science Park has transformed into a fairytale-like running course for the very first edition of the Utrecht Science Park Night Run.

Inside The Accelerator, the multi-tenant building on Uppsalalaan, there is a lively buzz. Runners come and go: one wrapped in Christmas lights, another in a simple fluorescent shirt.

The 1,800 participants of the Utrecht Science Park Night Run pick up their race numbers here, eat a plate of pasta, or make a quick pit stop at the crowded restrooms before starting their five-kilometre run.

Along the route, light installations, live bands and even a fire performer create a special atmosphere. Those choosing the ten or fifteen kilometre run complete the course several times. In addition to individual distances, there are relay options for teams and a special 1.5-kilometre Kids Night Run.

Renewal at the Utrecht Science Park

The Night Run is organised by Central Events, a Utrecht-based sports event company that previously ran the Campus Run, a “building run” through the Utrecht Science Park.

“The Night Run replaces the Campus Run,” explains project leader Martin de Ruiter. “The concept became difficult when fewer institutions wanted to open their buildings. In consultation with Utrecht University, HU and UMC Utrecht, we decided to try this instead. Running is incredibly popular, and Utrecht did not have a Night Run yet.”

Although everyone is welcome, the event mainly targets students and employees of the Utrecht Science Park. “It is a real race with time registration and prizes, but it’s not about breaking records,” says De Ruiter. “It’s about starting the weekend together with friends, students or colleagues. We also hope to bring more liveliness to the Utrecht Science Park.”

That is also why the run is held on Friday evening. Afterward, there is an afterparty with a DJ until 11 p.m.

Sold-out success

Interest exceeded all expectations. “We aimed for 750 participants,” says De Ruiter, “but registrations kept coming in. We eventually had to close sign-ups at 1,800.”

Around five hundred runners are students, several hundred work at the Science Park, and the rest come from outside Utrecht. Half of all participants are between twenty and thirty years old.

“What’s remarkable is that we hardly did any marketing,” De Ruiter adds. “All tickets sold out within a month, purely through word of mouth and social media.”

Besides sports and fun, there was also room for a good cause. Participants could raise funds for the ALS Netherlands Foundation through their personal Supporta campaign pages.

One of them is Tjerk, a lecturer at HU. He ran ten kilometres and raised 205 euros. “Friends suggested joining the run, and because I know someone with ALS, I signed up for the fundraising too,” he explains. “My preparation was short, three times five kilometres in two weeks, but I managed,” he says with a smile.

For De Ruiter, the event is a success. “We wanted to get people moving in a unique way,” he says. “With the enthusiasm of the participants and the perfect weather, we definitely achieved that. This is without a doubt the beginning of an annual tradition.”