#24: “The race is the show”, Rebekah Kennedy in Gothenburg at the World Masters Athletics Championships

Hej hej!

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ace of Base, Saab, Spotify, Kent, Veronica Maggio, Neneh Cherry, Opeth, Roxette, The Cardigans and the wonderful word, ‘fartlek’ are some of the things I think about when I think of Sweden. But up until recently I had had virtual zero material contact with things Swedish - beyond ubiquitous, unavoidable flatpack Ikea furniture of course. One thing led to another, however and I ended up in Gothenburg for the World Masters Athletics Championships where I would do the 10km. I was excited to race there, for not only would it be my first international race, but there is also a historical connection between G-burg and one of my favourite cities, or well, at least a city where I have spent much time: Jakarta. The city, formerly known as Batavia, would serve as the blue print for the layout of the canals in Gothenburg. This was a separate fun fact for I could barely recognise the absolute distinctiveness of Batavia/Jakarta’s canals and those present in present day Gothenburg. 

The inner city is spacious and pretty, with ample bike paths and trams. The harbour is visible from many spots. My feeling was that it was a flat-ish city: but then, I went to the course of where the 10km and half-marathon would take place. Expectations of a fast time went out the window. There would be barely a flat stretch along the course. No matter. This would mean my body would actually feel the difference of running here than in my new-homish terrain. 

One afternoon, I got talking with another athlete who was staying at the same hotel. I made some general running chit-chat. And then: I thought, why not? I’ll ask the person, who I had only just met if I could interview her for this podcast. After all, the premise of this podcast is ‘everyday runners’: runners, who run regularly and meaningfully, with dedication and care. That Rebekah was in Gothenburg and competing in the cross-country and half-marathon events, and had only come late to running, was already signalling something to me. I had a gut feeling she would have an interesting story to tell. 

I enjoyed this conversation very much. It went in different directions from what I thought. 

I want to thank Rebekah for accepting my offer for being on the podcast when she could have easily told me, ‘no thanks’. I also of course want to say congratulations for her strong performances in both of her races. She was also helpful to me in getting me focused on my own race, by reminding me that hilly courses are part of the fun of running and racing. 

Finally: if you’re new to the podcast, share it around and smash the review button in a positive manner. 

Until next time, doi doi. 

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Show Overview:

• On being a dancer
• Boston Marathon, 2018
• “I felt like I loved Boston, and Boston loved me back”
• Running during Covid
• Central Park Track Club
• Running in New York
• Running for the US T&F Masters Team
• The pleasures of ‘rolling’ courses
• On Masters Athletics in the States

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Andy Fuller/Reading Sideways Press

Strava: Andy Fuller

Instagram: Everyday Runners Leiden

Twitter/X: @readingsideways

Email: everydayrunnerspodcast@gmail.com