Nienke Brinkman Wants to Shine at the 41st NN Marathon Rotterdam After Her Astonishing Debut

3/15/2022

World Top Men and Women To Attend

After entering the top 3 of the eternal Netherlands ranking in sensational fashion, Nienke Brinkman is adamant she wants to make a name for herself again at the 41st NN Marathon Rotterdam. On Sunday 10 April, she will appear at the start at the foot of the iconic Erasmusbrug together with Stella Barsioso, last year’s winner from Kenya.

Other international top athletes such as Haven Hailu (Ethiopia), Rose Chelimo (Bahrein) and Sara Catarina Ribeiro (Portugal) also have their eyes on the top prize or at least a personal record on the fast parcours. A course record might be on the cards, it has been standing at 2.18.58 since 2012 when it was set by Ethiopia’s Tiki Gelana, that same year’s Olympic Champion.

For the wider group of athletes, the NN Marathon Rotterdam is the perfect opportunity to qualify for the World Championships in Eugene (15-24 July) or European Championships in Munich (15-21 August).

Brinkman (28) had already more than made the grade for the World Championships (2.28.00) and European Championships (2.31.30) during her first official marathon in Valencia on 5 December. The student of seismology who was born in Jakarta, grew up in Leiderdorp and who is currently doing her doctoral research in Zürich surprised everybody, including herself, when she finished in 2.26.34.

Nienke Brinkman Wants to Shine at the 41st NN Marathon Rotterdam After Her Astonishing Debut

The performance rocketed the debutante out of nothing to third place in the Netherlands ranking of all time. Only Lornah Kiplagat (2.23.43) and Hilda Kibet (2.24.37) ran it faster at one point. The success of the former hockey player is even more remarkable because she has only been running seriously for the last two years and a half and has only been working with a coach for one year. In the meantime, Brinkman has been included in the prestigious NN Running Team.

First Dutch Marathon for Brinkman

”My first marathon on Dutch soil was top of my list,’’ says Nienke Brinkman. ”It is extra special that I can now run the NN Marathon Rotterdam as a member of the NN Running Team. I am so very excited about it.’’ 

Out of the female participants, Haven Hailu has the fastest personal record: 2.20.19. ”I am looking forward to running in Rotterdam. The marathon has a great reputation and a fast course. I would like to improve my PR here and try to snatch the course record from Tiki Gelana,’’ announces the Ethiopian world top athlete.

Stella Barsioso outperformed herself on 24 October 2021 during the NN Marathon Rotterdam with her winning time of 2.22.04. Rose Chelimo, World Champion in 2017 and second in 2019, chalked up 2.22.51; she is returning brimming with ambition after pregnancy.

The top 5 of female participants in the 41st NN Marathon Rotterdam (with personal records) looks as follows:

Haven Hailu (Eth)

 2.20.19 (2021, Amsterdam)
Stella Barsioso (Ken)

 2.22.04 (2021, Rotterdam)
Rose Chelimo (Bah) 

 2.22.51 (2017, Boston)
Nienke Brinkman  

 2.26.34 (2021, Valencia)
Sara Catarina Ribeiro (Por)

 2.26.39 (2019, Valencia)
”We are so delighted that we also have a strong field of competitors in the women’s race, including the winner of the previous edition as tradition dictates,’’ says Remco Barbier, CEO of organiser Golazo Netherlands. ,,After the overwhelming success of #demooiste in October, we are looking forward to a nail-biting and fast race for the men and women. That should also inspire the tens of thousands other participants who will appear at the start with their own targets.’’

In the men’s race, the complete winner’s podium of the 40th edition will make an appearance on 10 April. They are Belgium’s Bashir Abdi (winner with a course and European record of 2.03.36), Kenya’s runner-up Marius Kipserem (the fastest in 2019 and 2016) and Ethiopia’s Dawit Wolde. What is also exceptional is that the Olympic star duo Abdi & Abdi will be reunited in Rotterdam for the first time since last year’s Games. The Dutch and Belgian best friends Abdi Nageeye and Bashir Abdi divided up the silver and bronze medals between them at the Olympic Games in Japan after a goosebump-inducing denouement. Nageeye thrillingly piloted his training buddy to third place.

 Other eye-catching participants are Kenya’s Kiprop Reuben Kipyego, and Björn Koreman. The up-and-coming Dutch talent wants to join a select group of national athletes who have completed the classic running distance in under 2 hours and 10 minutes at the Coolsingel. Richard Douma, multiple national 1500 metres champion and national 10K road record holder together with Abdi Nageeye, is making his marathon distance debut in Rotterdam.

Top 5 men 41st NN Marathon Rotterdam with personal record:

1. Bashir Abdi (Bel)

 2.03.36 (2021, Rotterdam)
2. Kiprop Reuben Kipyego (Ken)

 2.03.55 (2021, Milaan)
3. Marius Kipserem (Ken)       

 2.04.04 (2021, Rotterdam)
4. Dawit Wolde (Eth)

 2.04.27 (2021, Rotterdam
5. Abdi Nageeye (Ned)

 2.06.17 (2019, Rotterdam)​
Programme

Saturday 9 April

  • 11:30 hours                        Your Marathon Challenge                        
  • 13:15 hours                        NN Kids Runs 1 km – ages 6-7                   
  • 13:30 hours                        NN Kids Runs 1 km – age 8                        
  • 13:45 hours                        NN Kids Runs 1 km – age 9                        
  • 14:00 hours                        NN Kids Runs 1 km – age 10                     
  • 14:15 hours                        NN Kids Runs 2.5 km – ages 7-11               
  • 14:45 hours                        NN Kids Runs 2.5 km – ages 12-15                           
  • 15:30 hours                        City Run Rotterdam (4.2 km)
Sunday 10 April

  • 09:15 hours                        1/4 Marathon Rotterdam
  • 10:00 hours                        NN Marathon Rotterdam       
More information & registration
Register via nnmarathonrotterdam.nl