Jan Kooistra Overleden: Celebrating a Legacy in Hardlopen
Jan Kooistra Overleden at 77
Jan Kooistra, a significant figure in hardlopen, has sadly passed away at the age of 77. Known for founding SV Friesland alongside his wife Josefien in 1980, Kooistra aimed to make running events accessible to everyone through affordable registration fees.
His Journey in Long-Distance Running
Born in Oosterbierum and later raised in Franeker, Jan's passion for athletics began with long-distance running after an incident with football. He became a member of the Lange Afstand Tippelaars and participated in numerous ultra-marathons. Among his achievements, the 100 English Mile title earned him recognition as a 'Centurion 1ste klasse'.
Founding of SV Friesland
- The first event held was a cycling tour in May 1980 with 500 participants.
- Organized a 50-kilometer hiking event later that year.
- Launched the inaugural trimloop in 1981, which marked the beginning of many successful races.
A Legacy of Recognition
His dedication earned him the title of Lid in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau and made him an honorary member of the Atletiekunie and FNV union. Even while battling prostate cancer, his commitment to SV Friesland remained unwavering, serving as a board member until the end.
'Mister SV Friesland', Jan Kooistra, will be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the running community.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.