There is something timeless about a forest trail: the quiet hush under leaves, the rhythmic steps of runners threading paths like notes in an unwritten score. On a crisp Sunday afternoon in the Veluwe woods near Apeldoorn, the regular cadence of the Midwinter Marathon carried thousands along winding circuits. Most times, the forest merely whispers to those who pass through; but on this day, it spoke in a way that surprised even seasoned participants.
Courses like these, carved through woodlands, embody both the spirit of human endeavor and a dance with nature. At one point along the 25-kilometer Assel loop — a stretch known for gentle undulations and the quiet companionship of trees — a group of runners encountered a scene that exemplified nature’s unpredictability. In the midst of the pack, a stately edelhert — a majestic deer native to the Veluwe forests — stepped suddenly onto the path. In a heartbeat, motion met motion in a way no one could have planned.
Two participants were struck by the large animal as it crossed their way. One runner suffered bruised ribs and was taken to a hospital by ambulance, while another sustained scrapes yet continued to the finish line after checking in with event staff. The unexpected meeting between athlete and animal turned an ordinary race moment into something almost surreal — a reminder that the natural world can intersect with human intention in the most astonishing fashion.
Event organizers, seasoned in the ebb and flow of the Midwinter Marathon’s many editions, found themselves reflecting on the rarity of such an occurrence. “Bizar, this you can’t make up,” said the race chairman, capturing both the bewilderment and wonder of the event. He acknowledged that while wildlife sightings are not uncommon in the area, a large deer crossing directly through a pack of runners was wholly unforeseen.
In the moments after the animal’s pass, bystanders and fellow runners assisted where they could, and 112 emergency services were alerted promptly. The blend of concern and community that follows such a surprise is itself part of the tapestry of any outdoor event — a mutual instinct to help and to reassure.
Most participants left with stories that would become part of their own running lore: the day the forest joined the race. The organizer noted intentions to consult a biologist or ecologist to better understand how such wildlife behavior might be anticipated or accommodated in future editions. This thoughtful step reflects both respect for nature and care for the thousands who lace up their shoes each year to run through it.
In a world increasingly measured by split times and finished distances, sometimes it’s the unforeseen moments — where human paths briefly intersect the realm of wild creatures — that linger longest in memory. On that trail in Apeldoorn, runners were not just racing the course but sharing a fleeting passage with the untamed spirit of the woods.
AI Image Disclaimer Illustrations were produced with AI and serve as conceptual depictions.
Sources : Omroep Gelderland / NOS