In this interview with Volare Sports, Jacelyn Gruppen, a dedicated and resilient long-distance runner, shares her incredible story. From her early beginnings in Hoogeveen to competing at the European Championships, Jacelyn talks about what drives her, how she finds balance, and her dreams for the future.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
“I’m Jacelyn Gruppen, 34 years old, and I live in Hoogeveen, a small town in South Drenthe. After living in Apeldoorn and Groningen, I returned to my hometown. I’m a part-time athlete and combine my sport with a job as a medical assistant at a general practice. I’m a member of Team4Mijl, coached by Eddy Kiemel. Twice a week, I travel to Groningen to train with the team, and the rest of my training sessions—about 7 to 10 in total each week—I complete at home or in nearby nature areas.”
What or who inspired you to become an athlete?
“From a young age, I loved sports and tried many different activities. I ran my first race in Hoogeveen when I was about 8 years old. Years later, my neighbors reintroduced me to running. We had a great bond, and I often spent time with their two daughters, who participated in local races. They encouraged me to join, so we trained together. My first 2-kilometer race, I came in second place. I was 13 at the time, and from then on, I was motivated to keep improving.
It took years to perform at a national level, but I got faster each year. It was a gradual process, but my passion for running only grew stronger.”
What is the hardest part of training for major races, and how do you stay motivated to run long distances?
“When training goes well, I don’t find it particularly hard. Of course, there are tough sessions where I really push myself, but I enjoy the process and almost always look forward to training. The variety in running—long runs, tempo training, strength exercises—keeps it fun.
What I find most challenging is balancing my job with training. On workdays, I often have to train early in the morning, quickly shower and eat, and then head to work. Afterward, I need to train again. If I don’t get enough rest, it can be tough. Build-up periods can also be demanding, but I stay motivated by reflecting on successful races. Ultimately, that’s why I do this.”
How do you take care of yourself, both physically and mentally, during intense training?
“I try to listen to my body as much as possible. There are times when I can train a lot and push hard, but I also know when to take time for recovery. I’ve gotten much better at this over the years. Regular visits to the physiotherapist or masseur help me stay physically strong. Nutrition is also crucial before, during, and after training.
Mentally, I find it helpful to tackle hard training sessions with other athletes or ask a family member to cycle alongside me. Having that support makes a big difference.”
What has been your most memorable running experience so far?
“There are several moments that stand out. Running the European Championships qualification time for the half marathon in 2020 was very special. I had been injured for a year, trained extensively using alternative methods, and improved my PR from 1:15 to 1:12:39. Achieving the qualification time felt unreal. Sadly, the European Championships were canceled due to COVID-19.
The spring of 2023 was also memorable. I had an incredible training camp in Kenya, which I thoroughly enjoyed. After returning, I placed third at the Dutch 10K Championships with a time of 32:57 and ran 1:11:01 in the half marathon—a huge improvement. More recently, I became Dutch Champion in the 10K and competed in the European Championships in Rome. Both were incredible experiences.”
What would you say to young girls with big dreams?
“Chase your dreams and believe in yourself! Even if it seems like you don’t have much talent, small steps can lead to big improvements. Whatever time or achievement you’re aiming for, enjoy the process of working toward it.
As a junior, I often missed the selection limits for national teams, and I was told several times that I wasn’t good enough. When I shared my dream of competing in the European Championships, I was laughed at. Yet, many years later, I achieved it. Don’t let others discourage you!”
What goals or dreams do you hope to achieve in the future?
“Last year, I competed in the European Championships Half Marathon in Rome. It was an amazing experience, and I hope to race at the European Road Running Championships in Belgium next year. I also want to continue performing well at Dutch Championships and major road races in the Netherlands.
Just last weekend in Valencia, I improved my half marathon PR to 1:10:35. In the coming year, I hope to refine a few more personal bests. The journey isn’t over yet!”
Jacelyn Gruppen exemplifies the power of persistence, passion, and determination. Her journey proves that even with challenges, dreams are achievable with hard work and belief. At Volare Sports, we’re proud to support Jacelyn and look forward to seeing her continue to shine!
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