City-Pier-City Run a day of fun for all

March 13, 2011

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands — Over 50 AOC employees, their family members and friends were among the 30,000 people who participated in the 37th annual City-Pier-City Run on March 13 as spectators, runners or volunteers. Part of the registration fees from the run was donated to the Richard Krajicek Foundation, which works to give disadvantaged children the chance to participate in sports activities.

Good spirits prevailed (despite the initially blustery weather that threatened rain) as colleagues started gathering at 10 a.m. in AOC’s “business tent” in the “business pavilion” of the Malieveld, a large field in The Hague where the event was held. Runners signed up for one of two events, either the 5K or 10K “business team” runs. Team runs are an important way for colleagues to build strong relationships with each other and participate in team building outside of the office.

A small group of AOC’ers first participated in the Ernst & Bobbie Children’s Run as volunteers. They helped at the start and finish of the run and assuaged the youngsters’ nerves before their big event. “It is always rewarding volunteering,” noted AOC volunteer Joanna van Bijsterveld, “particularly when working with children.”

By 11, AOC’s participants in the 5K run were in the tent together, warming up, encouraging each other and helping each other with their runners’ bibs and numbers. They began their run at noon, with AOC’s Dallas Post and Jiri Hasman finishing the run first and second, respectively, out of the 5K AOC employees’ group.

As the 5K runners focused on completing their run, the 10K runners assembled in the tent to prepare for the start of their run at 1 p.m. Much encouragement and camaraderie were also seen in this group as they warmed up for their activities. Mart Louisse and Arnaud Hollinger came in first and second, respectively, in the AOC 10K employees’ group.

The day finished with 50-or-so tired but happy AOC runners going home with a medal each to show for their running efforts, and a host of good memories of spending time with their colleagues doing a healthy activity.

“While running itself causes probably more pain than pleasure,” Louisse noted at the close of the run, “the atmosphere [of the event] was great. … [it was] overall a most enjoyable event.” AOC’s Willem Koudstaal seconded his opinion, saying, “We all enjoyed it very much.” And Arnaud Hollinger added, “It was lots of fun!”

By Caitlin Clark