The Keizers race was run tonight…!
Finish Line at the Keizers Race in Amsterdam
The Keizers Skating Race in Amsterdam takes place on the Keizersgracht rarely – as the ice has to be good, solid quality for skating on and the right thickness for the race to go ahead.
It has been 15 long years since the last race and tonight well over 5,000 people gathered on the Keizersgracht to cheer on the contestants and of course to have a party at the same time. They colonised the canalhouse stoops, clung to lamp posts and even piled on top of vehicles – any possible space was occupied to get a view and cheer on the girls, boys, women and men that launched themselves at furious speeds along the 150 meter course. Some didn’t make it to the finish line (Youtube) – they got the biggest cheers of all.
This ice skating business is a lot harder than it looks! (Youtube)
Spectators at the Keizers Race
It was a fantastic atmosphere, the races were punctuated with Jordanese songs (Youtube) sounding out across the canal, the spectators couldn’t wait to join in the song and dance (to keep warm!) Think Queens Day on ice and you get some idea of the atmosphere, let’s face it Amsterdammers like any excuse for a party and that’s part of their charm.
The Keizers race - took place on the Keizersgracht between the Leidsestraat and the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, Amsterdam, NL
View our snowy Amsterdam photos and videos on our Facebook page and our Keizers Race video playlist on YouTube
On the way back to the Jordaan after the race and Amsterdam carries on the party, on ice, on the Prinsengracht…wonderful!
After the Keizers Race - the partying carries on, Prinsengracht Amsterdam
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