From obstacle run to 500 km non-stop running: my adventure in trail running
I am Olav Sammelius, married and father of two adult children and live in Spijkenisse. In daily life I work as a Plant Change Engineer.
After finishing my studies in Chemical Engineering, I started running in 2015 to get more active. What started with an obstacle run quickly led to the trails, where I discovered my passion for long distances. In 2016 I ran my first marathon in Rotterdam and my first trail marathon. At the end of that year I ran an 80 km trail, and in 2017 I ran my first 100+ km and 160 km trail.
The 100-miler was the moment when the trail addiction was finally established and has not disappeared since. Fortunately, my wife Leonie has also become quite addicted to trail running and we experience these adventures together.
What attracts me to trail running is the adventure and the challenge with myself. I test myself physically and mentally, and that requires the right nutrition.
During the Liberation Trail in June 2024 I discovered Kalkman nutrition. This was love at first sight. Especially the Energy Bites and the Coffee Maple Shots are my favorites, but the hydro drink is also a standard in my backpack. The natural, the taste and the energy it offers, I really like.
Challenges
I have already completed many impressive races, such as the 275 km Legends trail twice, achieving the Legends slam in 2019, the 500
km Legends anniversary edition, the 320 km Trailcat200, De Duinhopper 224 Km, De Titanic slam, the Marvel slam and not to forget the fantastic multi-stage the Liberation Trail (270 km).
New challenges are planned for 2025, including:
A 170 km trail run in the Eifel and the 270 km Legends Trail. After that there will be at least two 160 km races to achieve the Lord of the Rings slam.