‘You’ll Never Run Alone’ big success

‘You’ll Never Run Alone’ big success

On Sunday 12 June, the running event ‘You’ll Never Run Alone’ took place in and around the Mandemakers Stadium, hosted by Samen RKC, the charity arm of Dutch side RKC waalwijk and WIN-RS Therapy & Training. The whole day there was a fanatic running at different distances and at the same time, the work of KWF (Dutch Cancer Fighting Fund) and the fight against cancer was commemorated.

The event was co-organized as a tribute to WINR Frans de Bont and the choice of KWF as a charity has a sad reason.

“In October 2021, we suddenly lost a loyal and fanatical athlete in our practice.” (…)”Frans had cancer and died soon after he was diagnosed. He was only 46 years old. His death hit hard and we had a strong desire to do something in his memory. Frans was a great advocate of healthy living, had an iron discipline and enormous mental strength. From these thoughts, we came up with the plan to organise a running event, with a considerable challenge as part of it. Our plans came together with the idea of the Samen RKC Foundation, which wanted to organise a stadium run in April 2020.

Robert van Riel, co-owner of physiotherapy practice and gym WIN-RS

The whole day, the car park of the Mandemakers Stadium was filled with runners who were encouraged by friends and family. With music from a running DJ, a snack and drinks, there was something for everyone. From young to old, the runners were fanatical and enthusiastic, running the course through the Lido, the Akkerlaan and the Mandemakers Stadium, among other places. Many children took part in the 1940 metres, while the real daredevils covered no less than 46 kilometres with ten times the 4.6-kilometre lap. With fantastic weather, the organisation also looks back on a very successful day!

“A run straight through the RKC stadium, with a good cause attached, that was our plan. Unfortunately, due to corona, we had to postpone it. Together with WIN-RS,we organised ‘You’ll never RUN alone’, with different distances for young and old.”

Ellen Maas , Project leader at Samen RKC Foundation

With four different distances through and around the Mandemakers Stadium of RKC Waalwijk (1940 metres, 4.6 kilometres, 9.2 kilometres and 46 kilometres), there was also a symbolic reflection on Frans de Bont and all others who have (had) to deal with this terrible disease.