Tourist Run Amsterdam

Moving our Blog

2011-08-28T11:38:00.004+02:00

Video Blog

2011-08-21T18:48:00.000+02:00

We are using video shots the show you what we are up to at Tourist Run Amsterdam. Check our Tourist Run Amsterdam video channel for regular updates.

Tourist Run Amsterdam, more then sightrunning

2011-06-05T15:40:00.000+02:00

We started of with the idea the run around Amsterdam with tourists 1,5 years ago. We soon realized that our core business is Amsterdam and Running. Since then we have delivered an Amsterdam running experience to many people and companies. We have done everything from running with a single person to hosting a large corporate event with 350 participants. We combine Amsterdam and running with our creativity to offer team events which are fun, informative and healthy at the same time.
Do you want to run in Amsterdam?
Do you need a pacer for your next race?
Do you need a personal trainer to prepare for an event?
Do you want to offer your business team the “edge” in the next business run with tailored trainings and clinics?
Contact to find out what we can do for you.
Next on the agenda is to develop Amsterdam Challenge, an urban type adventure race.

Breakfast with Saskia

2011-03-09T10:41:00.004+01:00

The 9th of March the annual breakfast with Saskia van Uylenburgh.
With our running tours we always pass the Oude Kerk (Old Church). Today a little detour inside to honor the wife of Rembrandt Saskia buried in the Oude Kerk. Once a year a ray off sunlight illuminates the grave of Saskia today at exactly 8:39AM.
Become friend of the Old Church.

Running in Amsterdam in its many forms

2011-03-01T15:53:00.004+01:00

When we are not running with tourists in Amsterdam we help out with pacing marathon training groups.
Last Sunday we got together at AAC for a 30Km slow paced run.
The long runs are most important when preparing for a marathon and most runners run them too fast. If your marathon target time is 3:30 then your competition pace is ~5min/Km. You should run your long runs at at least 30sec/Km slower.
To help marathon runners prepare for the Rotterdam Marathon AAC organizes 4 trainings at a 3 week interval with the distances 20Km/25Km/30Km/35Km. These trainings are part of larger initiative the "Road to Rotterdam trainingslopen".. Running with a group at a steady pace helps you get through the difficult long runs. Next rendez-vous is the 27th of March 2011.

Untitled from Like2Run on Vimeo.

Good Morning City Run

2010-10-16T13:40:00.005+02:00

This morning we got together at 9.00 on the Museumplein with a group of 30 guides to guide Amsterdam Marathon visitors through the city. We had a nice setup with a "draaiorgel" drinks and tulips at the finish and traditional Volendammer costumes. We were very honored to organize this event for the Amsterdam Marathon. We expect to build a bigger party next year. More pictures can be found here. Experience de route through town again with our youtube movie.

De Good Morning City Run zit erop. De organisatie stond als een huis. 40 tot op de tanden voorbereide en gemotiveerde gidsen van onze organisatie brachten toeristen uit de hele wereld veilig door de binnenstad. Ze vonden het fantastisch. De opkomst viel echter tegen. Toch lijkt het erop dat dit een terugkerend evenement wordt. De Amsterdam Marathon organisatie is de gidsen zeer dankbaar. En wij ook

Some more Amsterdam running route movies

2010-10-07T16:10:00.003+02:00

We have created two movies for our running routes through Amsterdam

For the Amsterdam Marathon Good Morning City Run (this time at double speed)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4qd7-O8jMg part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kcn7-YjFGs part 2

For our event on the 20th of Oktober 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B0wTDLYFd8 part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8BFTYrcUeI part 2

Movie - see the route of Amsterdam Marathon Good Morning City Run

2010-10-06T14:24:00.002+02:00

Is city running a hype?

2010-09-07T22:41:00.003+02:00

I am following the Nike Running Nederland group on Facebook. Nike is doing regular runs through the city this month. I joined the 1st Lunar run on the second of September. With Tourist Run we do true sightseeing with information about the city, Nike offers a light fun training session in the city. It was good fun to run through the city with 30 persons. We stopped at the Rembrandt plein for some excercises. Next part was an exercise on the stairs of the metro, followed by "hakken billen" in the red light district.
Because the group was bigger then we are used to with the sightseeing tours we attracted more attention from beer drinker on terraces and other spectators. You could see them thinking - what is going on here? We received a standing ovation when we crossed the Leidseplein!
The tour finished at the Nike Run house in the van Baerlestraat 5, Amsterdam, check it out!
What next?
Watch this space the biggest ever city run is approaching, more soon

Why Book a Running Tour

2010-08-05T12:12:00.000+02:00

• A better “feel” for a city.
• Easier to customize than bus tours or large group walking tours
• Stop whenever you want
• "Travel" at your own speed and spend time on sights that interest you more than others
• Accomplish two things at once: see the sights plus get a workout in the fresh air
• The convenience of combining a sightseeing tour with a regular workout is attractive for many ambitious runners who are on vacation or travelling on business.

Who Books a Running Tour?

• Competitive runners training for a marathon and who need to get a run in
• New and recreational runners
• Teenagers to retirees, solos, couples and families
• Women because of the safety issues when visiting a new city
• Small corporate groups who want a fitness-based activity
• Those who get their exercise from fast walking
• Business/convention people in town for meetings or conferences

Giromania

2010-05-06T09:05:00.003+02:00

We are exited to be an official side event of the Giromania. Just another few days and the Giro d'Italia starts in Amsterdam. We are looking forward to a great Italian party in Amsterdam. On Friday the 7th of May we are going to do two Giromania runs. We will run the timetrial track of 8,4Km from Museumplein to the Olympic stadion. I checked part of the track already. Pink flags are standing proud on many street corners. We still have to paint supporting messages for Bauke Mollema leading rider of Rabobank on the tarmac!
Unfortunatly the city public cleaners have decided to go on strike again... I hope this doesnt spoil the party.
Check out the time trial track here (pdf)
Check out the Busy in Amsterdam blog

Yes, we ran!

2010-04-02T22:03:00.004+02:00

Yes we ran Amsterdam today.
THe sun was shining.Bit chilly but perfect circumstances for a run with two fathers and their daughters. They came from Minneapolis, Minnesota and surely enjoyed the ride, uhh run. Unluckily, one father twisted his anckle a little on the edge of the sidewalk. So, we have to stay cautious..

We did some serious research, HP and me. Together with a group of friends we were offered a tour behind the scenes in the van Gogh Museum. We learned a great deal about van Gogh and his live and art. What a life, what a master. Breaking with the ordinairy every now and than and following what you believe in can be very rewarding. If not in your own life, then afterwards..

Second run with 5 collegues. My friend photopgrapher Peter de Jong made some stunning pics along the way. Our website will become even prettier with them.

The city is filled with tourists, lots of them took their gear along. If only they knew about our offer. The Americans found us in a small article in a Minnesota Newspaper. We'll do more of that!

We're also thinking about alternative routes. A gay run perhaps? We'll see.

First: Champagne!!!

Gotta run...

Paul

Promoting our business

2010-03-17T10:58:00.004+01:00

Spring is in the air and more and more tourists are coming to Amsterdam. The last couple of weeks we have been working on promoting our running tours. Sightseeing running tours are new in Amsterdam, so we have to work hard to make sure all the runners know we exist. Marketing is fun. We can target a large audience. According to research, in 1999 8% of the Dutch population went out for a regular jog in the park. In 2007 the amount of runners has increased to 18%. There is no reason to believe this is any different in other countries. So almost 1 out of 5 visitors coming to Amsterdam could participate in our running tours.
Our promotion has not gone unnoticed. You can now find us on The Seattle Times, Le Temps, Giromania, Expatica, Global Running Tours and Miami Herald. We have created our flyers and distributed them in a number of hotels in Amsterdam. Our "Yes we ran - Amsterdam" (tm) Tshirts are ready and up for sale on our website and available on our tours.
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Google Buzz.

Kom naar GIROMANIA Run Amsterdam!

2010-03-09T13:11:00.001+01:00

English information on www.touristrunamsterdam.com/giro.html

Speciaal ter gelegenheid van de start van de Giro d'Italia in Amsterdam organiseert Tourist Run Amsterdam op vrijdag 7 mei de Giromania Run! Onder begeleiding van een gids volgt u joggend het tijdrit parcours van het Museumplein naar het Olympisch Stadion. Het tempo is geschikt voor ieder hardloopniveau. Het is geen wedstrijd: het doel is vooral om op een ontspannen manier het parcours van de tijdrit te verkennen en te zien wat de wielrenners de volgende dag te wachten staat. Onderweg zal de gids u informeren over wetenswaardigheden op en rond het parcours.
Elke deelnemer ontvangt een roze Giromania T-shirt en een gratis vervoersbewijs om terug te keren naar het Museumplein. U kunt zich tot uiterlijk 1 week van te voren inschrijven op onze website www.touristrunamsterdam.com/giro.html
Datum: Vrijdag 7 mei
Route: Museumplein - Olympisch Stadion

Testrun: challenging but big fun

2010-02-12T23:30:00.002+01:00

By doing the testrun at Feb, 6th our Touristrun is half born. The product is evolving strongly thanks to the contribution of our test team. We found out that heading the group to lead them, give safety instructions and inform them about the beautiful sights is just a bit too much. So next we'll use one guide as safety marshall, heading the group and giving safety instructions, while the other positions himself in the middle of the group and give tourist information.
Furthermore, the reflecting safety vests and a first aid kid with instant coldpack are no luxury given the numbers of obstacles on the track. Nevertheless, we are convinced we can organise a safe and pleasant trip if we give the correct instructions and take all the necessary precautions.

The group was clear about the route. Beautiful, they learned a lot, good lenght. We just might to skip a small part in the South of Amsterdam. We'll add the antique area opposite of the Rijksmuseum. Breathtaking and that's not the result of the running pace :-)

Our first paying client showed interest. He'll get a custom privat tour for a small price. Ambitious guy, he wants to set the pace at 12 k per hour. Takes a lot more to worry me, though.

Sorry guys, gotta run!

Paul

Sustainability: check!

2010-01-23T21:23:00.004+01:00

Hi everyone!
We're just two and a half month away from our first official run. We're right on track. I'm a bit lazy every now and then but HP keeps on running the program at Usain Bolt speed. Thanks to him, we are now on Twitter, Facebook, Blogger and more. I try to keep up with texts and network associates helping out with graphics.
And so we finalised our flyer design, companycards, t-shirt design and much more. The website is done in English (if you need English translations contact Moira) and French (merci!) and we're halfway in Dutch. Gibst auch Deutsch Ubersetzers unter Ihr?
Next we'll run the Guides training program, work on the safety chapter and gradually start up the Marketing program. Exciting stuff. I'll visit the hotels, HP will start mailing press, clubs, tourist organisations and more. We have to be careful since the impact must be monitored and the capacity required must be managed properly.

Best of all, we will be as sustainable as possible. The only thing we burn is calories. We use as little paper as possible. Besides, we will put aside a part of our yearly profit for sharity, most likely Right to Play. Their aim is to improve the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world by using the power of sport and play for development, health and peace.

We run, they play, everybody wins..

Paul

From idea to implementation, feels like a marathon!

2010-01-16T20:17:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone,
Hans Peter and I were just running through Amsterdam as we came to speak about the experience I had participating in an Amsterdam Guided citywalk. HP had about the same experience in the USA but that was not about walking but running!
Don't ask me why, but somehow we felt that we should put even more presure on our spare time and develop the same in Amsterdam. The idea was so charming and the task so challenging that we just could not let it go.
During the start up phase, it clearly showed that HP and I were able to work together smoothly. HP has great technical skills and developed a fantastic website (check it out: www.touristrunamsterdam.com ) . We are about 12 weeks away from our first tourist runs in April and we are nicely on track! Our company is registered at the Amsterdam Chambre of Commerce, we have a Postbox, a faxnumber, a well developed marketing plan and most of all a good mindset to get the rest done according to planning.
As soon as our bank account is live, we can finish our booking form.

So next we'll have our testrun at Feb, 6th with our friends from the triathlon club and a photographer for some nice pics for the website. Can't wait!

We'll keep you posted.

Paul

Running in the snow

2010-01-16T19:00:00.002+01:00

The last couple of weeks we have been busy preparing the launch of our business. We have more ideas then time to execute them. Follow this blog and you will be the first to know what we are up to!
Due to heavy snow fall (for Dutch standards) in and around Amsterdam famous runs like Egmond half marathon, Vondelparkloop and Road to Rotterdam were cancelled. It all started the 6th of January. We had around 3 inches of snow. Traffic in Amsterdam came to a complete stop. Lasting cold weather perserved the snow until today.
The question arises what would we have done if our business was already launched. Running in fresh snow is great! It gives you enough grip, softened sound and enhanced lighting and it even cleans your shoes. The trouble is, in a city like Amsterdam snow never stays fresh for a long time. When snow is packed it becomes very slippery and dangerous to run. It would have been a shame to cancel a Tourist Run due to weather conditions, but safety comes first.

Getting started

2010-01-16T17:59:00.001+01:00

The moment of inspiration

It was late summer 2009. Hans-Peter ("HP" to his friends) and Paul were running through Amsterdam. It must have been early morning, because the sun, still coloured orange, was rising and suddenly appeared between a bell gable and a stepped gable in the very heart of Amsterdam. The city was at its prettiest, the 18th-century houses mirrored in the canals with a little help from the sun. Amsterdam was still asleep, unaware of the natural beauty outside. Unlike us: trained athletes and "Amsterdammers", we inhaled Amsterdam with every breath and every stride we took. And so we ran on, half in a trance at all the beauty surrounding us, and we started chatting about what a privilege it was to be able to combine our love of sport with our passion for our city. Suddenly an idea struck us: why not share it with the rest of the world? Tourists, whether they come from the Netherlands or abroad, should also be able to experience this magical feeling. To explore and enjoy Amsterdam in a relaxed but sporting way! Let's make it happen. And so we did and here we are. We'd like to get to know you and for you to discover Amsterdam.