THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The ongoing impacts of climate change have diminished the chances of hosting a new edition of the legendary Elfstedentocht skating marathon on the frozen canals and lakes of the Netherlands. However, on Friday, the nation enjoyed the thrill of the 1985 competition through a televised re-broadcast.
Dutch public broadcaster NOS featured the 12-hour coverage of the grueling 135-mile journey through eleven cities in the northern province of Friesland, commemorating the event’s 40th anniversary.
The race sees thousands of ice skaters starting in the early morning chill, with only about 100 contenders realistically vying for victory, while the remaining participants aspire to simply complete the challenging course.
The last Elfstedentocht occurred in 1997, and as average temperatures continue to rise, the possibility of staging the event again appears increasingly bleak. On Friday, the temperature in the finishing city of Leeuwarden reached 14°C (57°F) around noon.
The historical 1985 race stirred excitement across the nation. Initially scheduled for January 20, it faced cancellation due to unseasonably warm weather. After nearly four weeks of anticipation, organizers shifted the date, delivering the news only three days in advance: the race would take place on February 21. Race chairperson Jan Sipkema famously proclaimed, “It sil heve,” meaning “It will happen” in Frisian.
That edition marked the first time the event was broadcast live on television. A rehearsal a day prior ran into significant problems when the equipment froze, but NOS eventually managed to pull off the live coverage using 25 cameras, including motorcycles with sidecars borrowed from a Belgian station. The event generated such widespread interest that the Dutch parliament paused a discussion on sick leave legislation to let lawmakers enjoy the race.
On Friday, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport played the race live in passenger lounges, with additional displays providing explanations in English for international travelers and reminders to catch their flights on time.
Organizers reported that 16,179 skaters participated in the 1985 race, with nearly 12,000 completing it. Evert van Benthem secured victory in the men’s category, finishing in 6:47:44, a record that still stands. That year also marked the first official opportunity for women to compete, with Lennie van der Hoorn winning the female division in 7:33:58.
The broadcast on Friday will continue until 5:30 p.m., mirroring the original airing from 1985.
