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Hi, I’m Wout. Born in 1983 in Leidschendam, the Netherlands, I grew up in Voorburg before settling in Zoetermeer for many years of my childhood. After completing my MSc in 2009, I moved to Utrecht to be with my girlfriend and dive into my PhD research, focusing on the fascinating dynamics of meandering rivers.

In 2013, after earning my PhD, I headed to Durham University in the UK for a postdoctoral position, where I spent 2.5 enriching years before returning to Utrecht for another postdoc. Eventually, I transitioned from academia into consultancy, working for Arcadis for 2.5 years. Since then, I’ve found my current role at Rijkswaterstaat, where I combine my passion for geomorphology with practical environmental management.

Outside of work, I’m passionate about exploring landscapes—whether hiking, running, or cycling. I especially love hiking in mountainous areas during holidays, with favorite spots including Norway’s Hardangervidda and Corsica. My girlfriend and I have traveled widely together, visiting stunning places like Scotland, Canada, France, New Zealand, Italy, USA, and Iceland and Japan (both where we also traveled with our daughter).

Family adventures have taken on new meaning since the birth of our daughter Minke in early 2020, right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our son Hylke, born in December 2023. We’re now dreaming of new journeys, perhaps to Patagonia, this time sharing the experience with our little ones.

Parkrun volunteer

I’m the proud Event Director of the Máxima parkrun in Utrecht, where every Saturday morning I get to hang out with a fantastic bunch of runners, joggers, and walkers—basically anyone who loves to start the weekend with some fresh air, good vibes, and a bit of friendly competition (or just a nice stroll!). I’m also lucky to serve as the parkrun Event Ambassador for the Netherlands, helping to spread the parkrun love and make these community runs accessible and fun for everyone.

Volunteering here isn’t just a job—it’s a passion. So much so that I was honored to be nominated as Sport Volunteer of the Year 2023 in my hometown Utrecht. If you ever want to experience that unbeatable parkrun energy—whether you’re chasing a personal best or just want to join a welcoming, no-pressure community—come say hi at Máxima parkrun. We’ll be the ones cheering you on, rain or shine, with a smile (and maybe some post-run coffee)!

Trail (ultra) running

UTMB profile

I love running on trails around the Netherlands, especially the beautiful Utrechtse Heuvelrug Trail. In 2023, I took on my biggest challenge yet—the Eiger Ultra Trail (101 km). I made it to 55 km before I had to call it quits. Leading up to that, I prepared by running the Leersumse Veld Trail (50 km) and the Koning van Spanje Ultimate, a 3-day event with distances of 16, 43, and 30 km. Despite not finishing Eiger, I’m hooked and definitely want to tackle more of these epic trail events in the future.

That said, next time on the Eiger, I might just take the lift up the mountain, enjoy running the ridges, and ride the lift back down—because sometimes, it’s smart to mix adventure with a little fun and a lot of great views!

LintRunners

In 2024, I helped start LintRunners, a motivated group of runners aiming for impressive achievements—especially breaking that elusive sub-3-hour marathon mark. As the club’s secretary, I’m involved in organizing our activities, keeping things running smoothly, and helping everyone stay connected and focused on their goals.

I love being part of a community where ambition meets support. While many of us are chasing fast times, we’re also passionate about welcoming runners who aspire to reach new levels, whether that’s their first marathon or finally breaking that sub-3 barrier.

For me, LintRunners isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about inspiring each other, setting challenges, and celebrating every step forward. I enjoy helping create that environment—where dedication, camaraderie, and a bit of fun come together to make running even more rewarding.

Activity Map (around the world)

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