Maastrichts Mooiste 2007 (Part 3): Living up to its name: The 15km race
Over the weekend of 8 – 10 June 2007 the city of Maastricht was host to a cultural and athletic festival known collectively as ‘Maastricht’s Mooiste’. Organized annually by the Maastricht’s Mooiste foundation, the event proved to be a dynamic and unforgettable event full of great multicultural flavor and pleasant competition.
Sundays are traditionally designated as days of rest, when one can indulge in quiet pursuits, sleeping in, sitting at one of Maastricht’s many cafés sipping on a cappuccino and reading the newspaper, visiting with friends… All of which allow the buildup of a buffer that will assist in managing whatever stress lies in store in the upcoming week. But there is another activity - although some would call it masochistic - that succeeds in the construction of this “stress buffer”: running.
On this particular Sunday (June 10th), this masochistic endeavor was to be undertaken by what seemed like thousands. Some may have sought the Zen like state of relaxation that this activity provides, others may have been attracted by the prospect to see Maastricht from a different perspective, or simply to best the others who dared compete against them.
Walking through these throngs of eager runners clustered around Centre Céramique, with the thrumming of dance music provided by DJ Tiesto, the anticipatory excitement was almost palpable. This was to be the first race of the day, fifteen kilometers of cross country bliss, but it was not the last, as a five kilometer ‘fun’ race and a children’s race would follow almost immediately afterwards.
The start was signaled dramatically with the booming shot of a cannon, and the runners took off, with victory in their hearts, prepared to battle against the weather (which was much more tolerable than the scorching temperatures which rendered many runners unconscious last year), the cobblestone streets, and whatever weaknesses they perceived residing within, convinced that all would be conquered on the eventual crossing of the finish line.
After departing from the Centre Céramique for the Wilhelmina bridge I began to fall into my familiar running rhythm, extending and retracting my left foot followed by my right combined with slow and steady breathing. As its seven arches passed beneath my beating feet, I caught a view of the flat faced facades, stepped roofs and church spires that comprise Maastricht’s skyline which at first glance look unassuming.
As I descended into the market square on the other side of the bridge I was greeted by the shopping centers which were constructed last year in order to aggrandize Maastricht’s reputation for great shopping. But unlike many cities where new development is superimposed upon the old the view did not serve as an eyesore, for the largely glass and steel construction only reminded me once again of what I find to be one of Maastricht’s greatest characteristics, that of its successful fusion of past and present.
As we crested a rise off of the Market square that brought us into the central square of the city, the Vrijthof, another parallel contrast of opposites was present for lining the Vrijthof are grand cafés and bars that expound a liberal mindset, while opposite from these establishments stands one of Maastricht’s oldest conservative representations, the ancient Catholic basilica of St. Servatius.
Rounding the corner towards the Bouillonstraat we passed further architectural contrasts, for unlike many other university establishments which strive to set themselves apart from the city they are built within, the University of Maastricht blends into Maastricht’s urban landscape, with converted government buildings, monasteries and residences all playing host to the nurturing of new minds while respecting the old.
These aforementioned signs of progress combined with respect for history may be what has allowed me to find a sense of home here, a feeling that has never occurred in any of the numerous cities I have lived in around the globe. Maastricht, like me has been irrevocably affected by the multi-cultural occupation that it has endured since the city’s consecration and it has only benefited from it, for its departure from a static cultural identity is something that I as a global nomad can relate to and find solace in.
I wiped my sweating neck with a generously provided sponge as we looped up and into the back of St. Pietersberg, which is the closest approximation to a mountain (it is about half the required altitude) that the characteristically flat countryside of Maastricht possesses.
Regardless of its rather diminutive size the climb up its winding and muddy slope (due in no small part to the precipitation the night before) incurred a noticeable increase in the flow of lactic acid into my legs, the pain of which could almost be completely ignored as the beautiful vistas of the Dutch countryside surrounding it came into view.
Even with the natural splendor all around me I managed to keep my focus on the race as I passed the occasional runner, who came in all ages, and ethnicities. All were jovial and conversed pleasantly with each other in another great example of Maastricht’s cultural diversity and successful fusion of old and young.
At the summit of St. Pietersberg the ten kilometer mark passed us by and I was almost regretting the race’s conclusion that was to come in a short five kilometers. I had never enjoyed running in a pack before, for solitary running allowed me to have a respite from the flurried activity of academic and social life and be introspectively inspired by my surroundings.
But today, I felt that I hadn’t compromised on that feeling, for as I speedily descended back down St. Pietersberg and began to see the Romanesque spires of Onze Lieve Vrouw church come into view I was joined by another runner who, after falling into step with me caused a tidal wave of collectively induced pleasure to wash over me.
It was then that I again found myself reflecting on another aspect of Maastricht’s great allures to me. Maastricht possesses a great deal of cultural heterogeneity, but in addition there exists a strong homogenous spirit of inclusiveness that I have been able to experience first hand.
As my feet crossed the finish line where this race began, I was left with a feeling of companionship with the city manifested in my sweaty travels with my brothers and sisters of the running shoe.
Perhaps it was the endorphins coursing through my bloodstream that were exaggerating my happy feelings, but nonetheless, I felt that Maastricht’s Mooiste had absolutely lived up to its name, for I had the pleasure of being with the Mooiste runners, spectators and architectural wonders of Maastricht that all contributed to a personal paradigm shift within my soul.
By Eliot Rolen
Eliot Rolen (US) is currently studying at University College Maastricht. He is also a correspondent for Informeel, within the newly launched UM Student Media initiative.
Further information: Maastrichts Mooiste website
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