Performax sponsors

Performax not only sponsors elite sportsmen and women, but anyone with a positive attitude to life, for example young people who radiate this lifestyle through their activities. Against this background, Performax is more than a product; it is part of a lifestyle, involving exercise, healthy eating and food supplements.

Marikenloop Run

The 3rd edition of the Marikenloop Run has enjoyed overwhelming publicity. This, the largest ladies’ run in the Netherlands, was held on 22 May 2005 in Nijmegen. Never before has the organising body, the Seven Hills Run Foundation, seen such an increase in interest in one of its events. Statistics at present suggest at least a doubling in the number of entrants, as compared with last year, when in total 2200 women joined the run. The 4th Marikenloop run will be held on 21 May 2006.

New running wave
According to the organisation, this spectacular growth is a result of several factors. On the one hand there is a new running wave. The main drive behind this development is increased attention for a healthy lifestyle. Also, running is a ‘handy’ sport. It is something you can do anywhere, any time. As compared with other sports, running also has a high yield [training effect] in relation to time spent. And in an era of ‘busy, busy, busy’ , these are all important advantages.
Another not unimportant factor is that women are generally working at reducing the backlog in respect of men and sport. Over the last 20 years, for example, the number of women participating in the Seven Hills Run rose from 4% in 1984 to 15% in 1994 and 24% in 2004. This trend is in line with a number of other major Dutch running events. Finally, the organisation attributes a proportion of the growth to its own intensive communication campaign.

Running as a ‘day out’
It also turns out that running is simply fun, particularly when linked with running in an appealing event. In other words, running as a ‘fun day out’. A clear illustration of this trend is that the Marikenloop run was recently featured, for example, in the women’s magazine Viva. As explained by Muriel Oonincx of Viva, “Running fits perfectly into the lifestyle of young, independent women – our target group. Hence our contacting the Marikenloop. We have established a joint venture, starting with a number of articles dedicated to running, and the Marikenloop. The formula behind this event is totally contemporary; a fun, active day out, group warming up, live music and an after-party.”

Good glass of wine
The ‘beating heart’ of the Marikenloop run is the ultramodern Gymnasion university sports complex, and the 1200-seat university restaurant. According to the organisation, all these seats will be occupied at least once by the women runners who, after the event, can take part in the pasta party, accompanied by a good glass of wine.

Walking; a healthy option. The Mooker
For those amongst us who cannot or do not wish to run, there is always The Mooker, a testing walking event for men and women, over a distance of 25 kilometres. The Mooker guides the walker through the most attractive spots in the area to the south of Nijmegen including Heumensoord, the Heumense Schans, the Mookerheide heathland and the Sint Jansberg. For the first time last year, the organisers combined the Seven Hills Run with this walking event, attracting no less than 4000 walkers. A real flying start for The Mooker, too.