Three RBS lecturer teams and one student team, each with 4 runners, took part in the so-called Business Relay Marathon.

So you didn’t run the ‘real’ marathon?
‘Everybody runs approximately ten kilometres, but we do follow the regular route. And it really feels like you’re participating in the actual marathon. The audience cheers everybody on, including the relay runners. And we all receivd a medal.’

You need to ‘pass the baton’ after about 10 kilometres. How does that work?
‘That’s a challenge, because there are 500 business teams taking part. At the point of exchange, you really have to look for your team mate. Last year we had RBS umbrellas as a point of recognition, but at one of the exchange points it still took us 45 minutes to find each other! This year we used a long stick with the RBS logo on it…’

Do you train together?
‘I personally teach spinning classes at a gym, and I gave a few classes at the gym for all the RBS participants, for team building’s sake, among other things. And we intended to train in running together, but we never got round to it.

Were you all fit enough?
‘Mwah… we didn’t make it into the top 10; last year we could’ve, but then we lost time looking for each other during the exchange. We’re not aiming for a record time; it’s more about enjoying ourselves.’

And what about the ‘real’ marathon, will you be running one at some point?
‘Two years ago I ran a whole marathon. For me, that was the best event ever! Even despite the new socks I wore which soon caused to me to have blisters.’

So you want more of it?
‘I would like to run it again. The New York Marathon is still on my bucket list. However, you have to put so much time into training. That would leave you without a social life…’

Jos van Nierop