On Thursday, November 20, the skating marathon The Four of North Holland starts in Amsterdam. The riders from the Netherlands Top Divisions skate 4 marathons on 4 consecutive days at 4 ice rinks in North Holland. What makes marathon skating so magical? Four ambassadors share their stories.

The basics of marathon skating are quite simple: whoever crosses the finish line first after a number of laps wins. But marathon skating is much more than endlessly skating laps on a 400-meter track. It is a tactical game with unexpected twists, sharp attacks, and above all: good teamwork. The dynamics are different in every race. Sometimes the team chooses to attack, but it completely fails. So you also have to dare to lose. Who knows, it might go your way and you win the race, says ambassador Tessa Snoek (26).

Fighting Together

There is one winner, but marathon skating is far from a solo sport. Teammates often sacrifice their own chances for a team member. For example, by accelerating early in the race and breaking away from the group of skaters. Opponents then have to chase and tire more quickly. Or by shielding the wind for a teammate, so they have to use less energy. You cant afford to lose focus even for a moment in marathon skating, says ambassador Mats Stoltenborg (33). If you dont pay attention for a moment, the race can take a different turn. That also makes it difficult to make a well-thought-out race plan beforehand. It always goes differently than you expected. That unpredictability makes the sport so beautiful.

Where long track skating is more individualistic, marathon skaters try to get the best out of the race as a team. That was perhaps decisive for Tessa to switch to marathon skating: In long track skating, I experienced much more pressure. In marathon skating, there is a very nice, cozy atmosphere. Everyone trains together and we have a lot of fun. Also with the opponents. In the race, you test each other to the max, but afterwards we just go cycling together or have a hot chocolate.

The Long Endurance

In The Four of North Holland, skaters compete for four days for daily victories on the tracks of Amsterdam, Haarlem, Alkmaar, and Hoorn, as well as for the sprint and overall classification. The distances increase a bit each day from 60 to 100 laps (women) and from 80 to 150 laps (men). This makes marathon skating a sport of long endurance. The first two races are relatively short and fast, but the third and fourth races become heavier and harder to control, analyzes ambassador Wisse Slendebroek (20). On Sunday, the strong skaters come to the fore, Mats adds. For us marathon skaters, the races can never be long enough. The heavier, the more heroic.

Outside the Skating Bubble

With 4 ice rinks, North Holland is a true skating province. There is always someone interested in watching a race. The atmosphere along the track is really great, almost magical, says ambassador Sofia Schilder (19). They are all enthusiasts who are willing to stand in the cold all evening to cheer us on. Still, the ambassadors also call on people outside the skating bubble to come watch. Tessa: And if you dont quite understand whats happening, just ask the people around you. Everyone is happy to explain it with love. And once you understand who does what and how the team compositions are, its super fun to follow.

Four of North Holland 

The skating event The Four of North Holland starts on Thursday, November 20 in Amsterdam with 60 laps (women) and 80 laps (men). The following days, the peloton starts in Haarlem with 70 and 100 laps, in Alkmaar with 80 and 125 laps, and in Hoorn with 100 and 150 laps. Just like in 2024, the province of North Holland and the KNSB are the initiators. This unique skating event for top and grassroots sports can be organized thanks to the help of the ice rinks and skating clubs. 

Want to get in the mood? Watch the promo for The Four of North Holland.