For pro runner Mike Foppen, all eyes are set on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. During the Zevenheuvelenloop, he became the second Dutchman to cross the finish line. For Foppen, it was the final hurdle he overcame in his rehabilitation after an Achilles tendon injury. Vox followed the former Radboud University student before, during, and after the Zevenheuvelenloop.

It only took Mike Foppen 44 minutes and 1 second to complete the 15 kilometres during the Zevenheuvelenloop on Sunday. That’s 2 minutes and 56 seconds per kilometer. He finished fifth in the overall standings and as the second Dutchman of the day. He followed the international top runners, where the Ugandan Jacob Kiplomo equalled the world record with a time of 41 minutes and 5 seconds.

The weather conditions were relatively favourable: last year, it was freezing and raining during the race. This year it was sunny and around 12 degrees Celsius. The only downside was the strong wind. Although the runners had the wind at their backs in the last kilometres, Foppen noticed that his thighs cramped up. Immediately after the finish, he reached for his legs and sat down on the ground.

‘Body feels good’

He doesn’t have much time to recover. Ten minutes later, his girlfriend, Swedish top athlete Julia Samuelsson, crosses the finish line. Due to a shortage of sugar, she also collapses immediately. The press has to wait for a moment: Foppen first takes care of his girlfriend.

Once recovered, Foppen says he is reasonably satisfied with the race. ‘My body felt good. I felt strong in the race and dared to lead in my group. That was different last year; I was completely exhausted after eight kilometres. This time, I was able to enjoy the race more.’

The specialist in middle-distance races (3000 and 5000 metres) shakes his head with a laugh. ‘But 15 kilometres will never truly be my distance.’

‘I’m definitely not going to claim this year that I’ll break the Dutch record,’ he had said with a big wink beforehand. Last year, the Nijmegen resident had set high expectations for himself: he wanted to crown his debut at the Zevenheuvelenloop with a record time. Unfortunately, that celebration didn’t happen; he fell short by eight seconds.

Foppen quickly recovered after the race and had a successful period last year, during which he, among other achievements, set a Dutch record. However, he suffered an Achilles tendon injury last summer, but after an intensive rehabilitation, he is back in competitive shape. The Zevenheuvelenloop served as a final rehearsal.

A successful rehearsal that is, as his body feels good. On to the next step: the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

Foppen still needs to qualify for that. Although he came close to the Olympic standard several times before his injury, he hasn’t achieved the time yet. ‘But it will be fine,’he says calmly. ‘I just need to run one or two good races, and then I can qualify through the world rankings. But I prefer to qualify directly.’

Redemption for Tokyo

In Paris, the former student, who earned his master’s degree at Radboud University last summer, hopes to seek redemption for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. After a long and uncertain qualification process due to COVID-19 measures and injuries, Foppen was allowed to compete in the 5000 metres at that time. Unfortunately, the race was not a success: he tripped and had to withdraw from the race prematurely with a tear in his calf.

‘I did carry that disappointment with me for a while,’ the 26-year-old runner reflects. ‘It was an unforgettable experience. But not being able to finish the race haunted me for a long time. I wanted to prove myself too badly in every race afterward, putting too much pressure on myself.’

‘In a way, that setback might have been good for me,’ he continues. ‘Until then, there was a constant upward trajectory in my development. Because I suddenly had to deal with a setback, I had to develop mentally: I feel stronger than ever. It may sound strange, but I almost wish every athlete goes through such a tough period. With a good recovery, of course.’

Translated by Siri Joustra