First Edition of the Groningen Half Marathon a Big Success: Rain, Records and a Shared Sense of Pride
Mo 26 May 2025
"One half marathon doesn’t make a Half Marathon," said Edward van der Meer, Director of Campus Groningen, with a smile during the award ceremony. "So the second one is on its way, and after the third edition, it’s a tradition – and that’s what we’re aiming for!" Judging by the thousands of participants and spectators, that tradition is already well underway.
On Sunday morning, the Zernike Campus was grey with rain but buzzing with energy. More than 9,500 runners gathered for the very first edition of the Groningen Half Marathon, powered by Campus Groningen. “You are the lucky ones,” said announcer and crowd favorite Vincent van der Velde at the start of the main event. “You’re the first 6,000 people to secure a spot in this edition.”
Joyful Atmosphere
From 9:00 AM, the races kicked off one after the other, starting with the 10K, launched by Campus Groningen manager Lisanne Brakenhoff. Despite the wet pavement, the atmosphere was electric. Spectators cheered along a route that passed through knowledge institutions, local businesses, green spaces, and the city center. Top performances were delivered by athletes such as Nik Lemmink (30:19) and Jolien de Waard (37:20).
The highlight of the day, the Half Marathon, began at 10:00 AM. It was a stunning sight: 6,000 runners forming a colorful ribbon along the Zernikelaan. Some were chasing personal bests, others were in it for the experience. The weather remained changeable, but seemed to fuel performances rather than hinder them. Tom Hendrikse (1:06:11) and Jacelyn Gruppen (1:14:55) claimed the victories.
The afternoon was all about families and youth. Around 150 enthusiastic young runners took part in the 2.5 km Kids Run, followed by the fun and festive 5 km and Family Run, which drew around 800 participants. Cheering parents, smiling children, and even some sunshine made for a heartwarming end to the day.
A New Groningen Tradition
Throughout the day, the Zernike Campus was the vibrant heart of the event – from the start zones to the lively Zernikeplein, with food trucks and local energy. Both runners and visitors embraced the special campus atmosphere. Thanks to Golazo, the event organizer, we look back on an extremely successful debut. With their extensive experience in organizing large-scale sporting events, they created, together with Campus Groningen and partners, a professional, well-organized, and spirited running celebration – one that already feels like a true Groningen tradition.
A special word of thanks goes out to the hundreds of volunteers who helped make this event possible. From water stations to traffic stewards, bib pickup to first aid – their dedication made the difference, ensuring a smooth, safe, and festive day.
Keep training – register now for the Campus Trail!
The Groningen Half Marathon has proven itself as an event for everyone – from competitive athletes to casual runners and families. It brought together sport, city, and campus in a unique and memorable experience, one that’s definitely worth repeating. Want to stay in training? Sign up now for the Campus Trail, the 4-mile fun run on Zernike Campus on September 12!
Op zondag 31 mei 2026 staat Groningen in het teken van sport, doorzettingsvermogen en betrokkenheid. Tussen alle lopers is ook het herkenbare roze van Vrienden Beatrix Kinderziekenhuis zichtbaar.
The LIFE Cooperative, part of the Northern Netherlands life sciences ecosystem at Campus Groningen, is organizing the Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon together with FIGON on Thursday, 26 February. This fully booked event brings together leading scientists and industry experts to explore the latest developments in innovative medicines and advanced drug delivery. Read the full article as published by the LIFE Cooperative.National Attention for Sold-Out Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon: Innovative Medicines and Advanced Drug Delivery Take Center Stage in Groningen Innovation in medicines takes center stage on Thursday, 26 February during the Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon, an inspiring event organized by FIGON (Federation for Innovative Drug Research Netherlands) in collaboration with the LIFE Cooperative. “We are extremely proud of the strong line-up at this event, bringing together leading experts from science and industry to explore the frontiers of drug development. The fact that registrations are already fully booked underlines the great importance of this event for the life sciences ecosystem, and in particular for the Northern Netherlands,” says Ronald Hesse, Director of the LIFE Cooperative. The Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon brings together scientists, innovators, and professionals from across the Netherlands for an afternoon of insights, knowledge exchange, and networking opportunities. The speaker line-up features experts from both academia and industry. This event is already fully booked. Interested in joining the waiting list? Please email: amber@lifecooperative.nlConnecting force The afternoon will be opened by Prof. Klaas Poelstra of the University of Groningen (RUG), Chair of FIGON, who will outline the importance of innovative drug development in the Netherlands. This will be followed by an introduction by Robert Hof on behalf of the LIFE Cooperative, highlighting the cooperative’s role as a connecting force within the regional ecosystem. The first session block before the break focuses on innovation in drug delivery systems. Rob Steendam (CTO, InnoCore) will discuss the development of long-acting SynBiosys® microspheres for controlled and sustained drug release. Jaap Wieling (CEO, PureIMS) will present the potential of dry-powder inhalation via the Cyclops® technology for both pulmonary and systemic indications. From an academic perspective, Prof. Marleen Kamperman (University of Groningen) will explore the potential of polyelectrolyte coacervates as innovative drug delivery platforms.Deep dive After the break, the focus shifts to advanced nanomedicines and clinical development strategies. Dr. Flávia Sousa (RUG) will present her work on polymer-based nanomedicines for the delivery of biotherapeutics to the brain. Dr. Ad Roffel (ICON plc, Groningen) will address mass balance and absolute bioavailability studies with ¹⁴C-labeled drugs in humans, an essential component of clinical drug development. Prof. Erik Frijlink (RUG) will reflect on the value of innovation within both established and advanced drug delivery systems, placing technological progress in a broader pharmaceutical context. Finally, Prof. Helder Santos (RUG) will demonstrate how nanomedicines are being used for RNA delivery in myocardial infarction repair, a promising development in cardiovascular therapy. “We are extremely proud of the strong line-up at this event, bringing together leading experts from science and industry to explore the frontiers of drug development. The fact that registrations are already fully booked underlines the great importance of this event for the life sciences ecosystem, and in particular for the Northern Netherlands." - Ronald Hesse, director LIFE CooperativeClosing and networking The afternoon will conclude with a contribution by Peter Ketelaar (LIFE Cooperative), followed by closing remarks from Prof. Klaas Poelstra. Participants will then have the opportunity to connect and continue discussions during the networking reception. Hesse looks forward to the event: “With this event, FIGON and the LIFE Cooperative underline the strength of collaboration between academia, industry, and clinical practice. The Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon promises not only to be an inspiring afternoon, but also to provide momentum for further innovation and collaboration within the Northern Netherlands life sciences ecosystem.” Text: lifecooperative.nlPhotographer: Casper Maas
The master plan for the Healthy Ageing Campus has officially been approved! This marks an important step in developing the campus as a hub for knowledge, innovation, and collaboration. With a focus on greenery, health, and connection to the city, the campus will become a vibrant environment where research, education, healthcare, and business come together. The vision provides space for new laboratories, building renovations, meeting places, and closer collaboration between UMCG, RUG, and the business community. Read the whole article by the UMCG below.Green light for the Healthy Ageing Campus Master Plan On Wednesday, 18 February 2026, the Groningen City Council formally approved the master plan for the Healthy Ageing Campus. This is a major milestone, as the plan provides the framework for the campus’s further development and its integration with the surrounding area. At the end of last year, the University of Groningen (RUG), the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), and the City of Groningen presented an ambitious, future-proof plan for the campus. Shared ambitions have been translated into coherent spatial and programmatic guidelines for current and future developments. In other words: how much space is available for which functions on the campus, and where is the most suitable location for them? The renewed campus will: Provide space for knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, encouraging interaction between disciplines and people; Connect with the city, making the campus a natural part of Groningen life; Be a healthy and sustainable environment, with attention to greenery, physical activity, wellbeing, and a living environment that supports health; Be lively and accessible, bringing together living, working, research, studying, and healthcare.Next steps The master plan is not only a blueprint for the future, but also a concrete step toward further developing the current campus. Construction and renovation on the UMCG and RUG grounds are ongoing, and each project must now be assessed to determine what is possible. With the approval of this master plan, the way is cleared for follow-up decisions, including applying for demolition and building permits and further project development within the area. Upcoming projects include: The construction of the Central Laboratory for Diagnostics and Research (CLDR): a new laboratory building on the site of the former UCP building. This building will bring together various laboratories in one location to improve collaboration. Relocating laboratories from the Central Medical Complex is also necessary for the renovation and expansion of several hospital departments; Renovation and future-proofing of existing UMCG and RUG buildings, with attention to sustainability, flexibility, and integration with the heating/cooling system; Making the campus greener and more accessible, creating new meeting places and better connections to surrounding public spaces; Creating space for campus-related business activities, strengthening collaboration between UMCG, RUG, and the private sector.Municipality explores the future of DOT Initially, the master plan covered the area between Petrus Campersingel and Oostersingel, from Hanzeplein to the Oosterhamrikkanaal. In the newly approved plan, the Bodenterrein site has been separated, as the municipality is investigating the costs of possibly preserving DOT. More information on this will be available later this year. Read more about the Master Plan.Source text and pictures: umcg.nl
