Run fast for your mother!

Julius Caesar was famous for his unique talent of doing several things simultaneously, so why don’t you challenge yourself and combine sports and cultural education? Discovering Rotterdam while jogging through the city sounded exciting and absolutely new for me so I decided to take a chance and find out how you can combine physical workout and architectural lessons in one and a half hours.

Jogging

The inspiration to launch the sight jogging in Rotterdam came to the founders from New York where the similar project has already been popularized for several years. Jogging itself occupies an inherent place of casual sports of Europeans, relatively flat lands covered by smooth roads for pedestrians and bikers make it even easier to fulfill, so this summer Sightjogging010 implemented more than ten tours. 

Starting from the city center spot on Meent street, the route runs through key touristic places, however sometimes instead of taking the main road you discover neighbor streets with hidden churches and small bridges. Such surprises open you a new view of the very industrial and modern Rotterdam, and stories told by Fred, the guide make the picture even more complete.

While practicing any sports, motivation remains one of the most important part – Fred who usually leads groups of Sightjogging010 is truly reckoned as a perfect inspirational person. Sporty, inspired and devoted to the history of city, he provides listeners with interesting stories as well as creates an example of a jogger who never gives up. I suggest this combination to be crucial when after fifth kilometer of running your lazy part starts thinking «Why didn't I take the regular boat or foot trip?»

For sure, jogging and sightseeing can be a challenge for those who don't do sports regularly. In case you are lucky and the weather is decent, it is still very humid in Rotterdam, so be prepared to keep enjoying the city views when sweat whelms your eyes. To mention, the route lies across two bridges – Williamsbrug and Erasmusbrug, which while crossing them by tram or car seem a perfect place to take panoramic pictures but while jogging you will soon find out that there is a sensible decline on upturns. And of course beware of bikers – they appear to be aggressive if you infringe on their paths.

Route

All in all, this experience is unforgettable – discovering Rotterdam with a very motivated guide with a figural backpack of stories about places you've been before and never thought about their history, as well as practicing nearly 8 kilometers of brisk jogging through the city. 

Photos: Sightjogging010 Facebook albums, all rights reserved