TESTIMONIALS
The athletes
What the athletes say
Because they’re the ones who talk about it best.
"In 2025, I set myself an ambitious goal: to run my first ever marathon and break 3 hours, with no running background.
Jurgen started his magic training program in April and kept fine-tuning my paces and load along the way. In October, I crossed the finish line at the Amsterdam Marathon in 3 hours and 1 minute.
That’s proof that Jurgen’s coaching really works!"
Jurgen started his magic training program in April and kept fine-tuning my paces and load along the way. In October, I crossed the finish line at the Amsterdam Marathon in 3 hours and 1 minute.
That’s proof that Jurgen’s coaching really works!"
Michael de Waard
Runner
"I started running at the end of October 2022 because I felt it was a great addition to cycling and swimming. In early 2023, I joined a local athletics club and really got hooked, which led me to run 5 marathons and many other shorter distances in my first year of running.
At the end of 2023, I met Jurgen during a training run and was impressed by his professional approach to running. In early 2024, I started working with Jurgen as my coach, and we discussed a concrete plan with clear goals. His training sessions are truly tailored to me as an athlete and are created on a weekly basis. And if things don’t go quite as planned, Jurgen is always there to talk it through and find out what is possible, but thanks to his approach, any dip in motivation is short-lived.
In a short amount of time, I’ve managed to set several PRs, and I’m especially proud of my Rotterdam Marathon time of 3:18, at age 56 and after just 1.5 years of running.
In the coming years, I definitely hope to further improve my marathon time and maybe even take on a triathlon. Of course, with the support of Jurgen and the enthusiastic team at The Athletes Hub. Jurgen’s approach is simply outstanding, and I can wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone who wants to take their athletic goals seriously!"
Bert Bouwland
Runner
"Running has found a place in my life in recent years. I had already completed a few races, but after watching the Rotterdam Marathon twice from the sidelines, I knew for sure: next year, I’ll be running it myself. Not just to participate, but to give it my all. My goal? To get marathon-ready in six months and finish under 3 hours and 30 minutes.
To achieve that ambition, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I contacted Jurgen, a good friend and a dedicated running coach. Right from the start, we hit the ground running. His varied training plans, combined with his personal involvement and motivation, helped me make significant progress within just three months. My speed increased, and my training routine gained structure.
The final three months were fully focused on the marathon. Long endurance runs, a smart training build-up, and above all, building confidence. Every session felt like a step closer to the finish line on the Coolsingel. What I truly appreciate about Jurgen is that he looks beyond just the running. He provides guidance on nutrition, race strategy, and mental preparation. That complete approach really made the difference.
And the result? I ran the Rotterdam Marathon in 3 hours and 16 minutes. Incredible. A performance I’m proud of, and one that simply wouldn’t have been possible without Jurgen.
I’m already looking forward to the coming months. With Jurgen by my side, I’m certain there’s so much more still to come."
To achieve that ambition, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I contacted Jurgen, a good friend and a dedicated running coach. Right from the start, we hit the ground running. His varied training plans, combined with his personal involvement and motivation, helped me make significant progress within just three months. My speed increased, and my training routine gained structure.
The final three months were fully focused on the marathon. Long endurance runs, a smart training build-up, and above all, building confidence. Every session felt like a step closer to the finish line on the Coolsingel. What I truly appreciate about Jurgen is that he looks beyond just the running. He provides guidance on nutrition, race strategy, and mental preparation. That complete approach really made the difference.
And the result? I ran the Rotterdam Marathon in 3 hours and 16 minutes. Incredible. A performance I’m proud of, and one that simply wouldn’t have been possible without Jurgen.
I’m already looking forward to the coming months. With Jurgen by my side, I’m certain there’s so much more still to come."
Tom Wolfkamp
Runner
"For over 30 years, I focused on a different sport, but I used to run once or twice a week to stay in shape. Occasionally, I’d sign up for a race. That was fun, but for all those years, I was running at more or less the same pace.
When I decided to run the Rotterdam Marathon in April 2025, I got in touch with Jurgen Schenk. I was curious to see if coaching could help me reach a higher level. And so, I’ve been training with Jurgen for four months now — and the progress has been incredible! It feels like a whole new chapter in my (running) life. So much so that I’ve put my other sport on the back burner for now, simply because I’m excited to see how far this new path can take me.
In Rotterdam, I took a full 15 minutes off my marathon PR — and I know there’s more in the tank. That’s why I’m aiming for a new PR in Amsterdam, October 2025.
I’ve also already improved my half marathon PR by a whopping 8.5 minutes.
Jurgen is a relaxed and approachable coach, personally involved, always available, and great at turning challenges into opportunities. He listens carefully to feedback and adapts the training accordingly. There’s a lot of variety in the sessions, which makes running even more enjoyable. On top of that, the connection with other members of The Athletes Hub is fun, inspiring, and motivating!
All in all, I’m 100% satisfied with the collaboration with Jurgen, I just wish I’d started sooner."
When I decided to run the Rotterdam Marathon in April 2025, I got in touch with Jurgen Schenk. I was curious to see if coaching could help me reach a higher level. And so, I’ve been training with Jurgen for four months now — and the progress has been incredible! It feels like a whole new chapter in my (running) life. So much so that I’ve put my other sport on the back burner for now, simply because I’m excited to see how far this new path can take me.
In Rotterdam, I took a full 15 minutes off my marathon PR — and I know there’s more in the tank. That’s why I’m aiming for a new PR in Amsterdam, October 2025.
I’ve also already improved my half marathon PR by a whopping 8.5 minutes.
Jurgen is a relaxed and approachable coach, personally involved, always available, and great at turning challenges into opportunities. He listens carefully to feedback and adapts the training accordingly. There’s a lot of variety in the sessions, which makes running even more enjoyable. On top of that, the connection with other members of The Athletes Hub is fun, inspiring, and motivating!
All in all, I’m 100% satisfied with the collaboration with Jurgen, I just wish I’d started sooner."
Erik Wolf
Runner
"I've been coached by Jurgen Schenk since February 2025, and the progress since then has been truly incredible. In just a few months, I've set personal bests in the 5K, 10K, and the half marathon. The training is effective, well-structured, and perfectly tailored to my level and goals.
What I also deeply appreciate are the regular check-ins: quick, clear, and always thoughtful. Race preparation is on another level, with a detailed presentation covering everything: pacing, nutrition, strategy, and mental focus. Super professional, and it gives me a lot of confidence heading into race day.
In short: extremely satisfied and incredibly happy with the collaboration with Jurgen!"
What I also deeply appreciate are the regular check-ins: quick, clear, and always thoughtful. Race preparation is on another level, with a detailed presentation covering everything: pacing, nutrition, strategy, and mental focus. Super professional, and it gives me a lot of confidence heading into race day.
In short: extremely satisfied and incredibly happy with the collaboration with Jurgen!"
Joris Sonnema
Runner
"Running can be fun by yourself but going through the running journey is much more fun when you can share it with others. In this way, being part of TAH community motivates me to keep going towards my goals and keep running fun. If it were up to me, my main reason to go for a run would be an upcoming race and as soon as that would pass, I would lose my discipline. Thanks to Jurgen, he inspires me to keep going for more, and so I worked my way to running a half marathon in 1:38h. It is now not only the races but also the trainings that get me off the couch and moving. Jurgen creates varied trainings towards my availability and goals, and I secretly keep looking forward to the interval trainings. The coach makes sure we improve little by little and are proud of ourselves at the end of the day."
Laura Grütters
Runner
"Before I came to the Netherlands, I didn't like to run. I tried hard to like it, but despite my big efforts in creating the best running playlist, it was never enough to keep me going. I think that two things really made the difference this time. First, sports are part of the Dutch culture. You see them running and cycling, no matter the conditions of this crazy weather. Having people around you who do this with so much passion and who make it look fun and effortless is really contagious. Second, I have a person guiding me in every step of the way. Jurgen helped me to start from a really beginner level to complete my first half marathon in just 2.5 months. Having somebody who creates workouts tailored made for you, analyses in detail your progress and celebrates your achievements has helped me to create discipline and improve very fast. Now I'm really looking forward to unlocking my next challenge: an Olympic triathlon in May"
Liza Román
Triathlete
"Since 2023, I've had Jurgen as my
running coach. He's been a fantastic
addition to my exercise routine, allowing
me to further enhance my performance.
Jurgen creates my training schedule on a
weekly basis, tailored to the availability I
provide. Moreover, he's always available
to answer my questions or provide advice
whenever I need it. He also serves as my
motivator, pushing me to keep going. His
positive feedback is exactly what I need to
stay motivated, especially on days when
my motivation is lower. This makes him a
valuable asset for anyone looking to
improve their running skills."
Stefan van Dijk
Runner
"After having completed multiple short distance triathlon's I signed up for my first Ironman 70.3. Looking to achieve the best result and give more structure to my training Jurgen has been coaching me for the past months. With his frequent and varied training sessions and personalized feedback I have seen a great improvement in my endurance and performance in only a few months’ time. All while taking into account personal circumstances and time constraints which keeps it fun and achievable. Backed by a coach that motivates me and guides me through the preparation I have all the confidence that I will set a good performance in my upcoming race."
Joep Haarselhorst
Triathlete