Amsterdam institute for Immunology and Infectious diseases

On March 15, the AI&I running team took on the Amstelveen Marathon, raising an impressive €7,332 for research into Post-Acute Infection Syndromes (PAIS). We are proud to recognize the dedication and effort of our runners: Joppe Hovius, Maria Thon, Roos Klungers, Dilek Yusuf, Valentijn Tromp, Marit van Gils, Joan Capella-Pujol, Jan van den Bossche, Jelmer van Lieshout, and Hung-Jen Oliver Chen.

Each year, millions of people worldwide develop long-term health problems after an infection. These conditions, known as Post-Acute Infection Syndromes (PAIS), can drastically impact lives. Examples of PAIS include long-COVID, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, and post-sepsis syndromes.

AI&i runners Jelmer van Lieshout and Roos Klungers (left) and Joppe Hovius and Jan van den Bossche (right)

PAIS patients often struggle for months or even years with extreme fatigue, pain, brain fog, and reduced quality of life. Many are unable to work, study, or participate in daily activities, while healthcare providers frequently lack clear answers. Despite the enormous personal and societal impact, we still know little about why some people recover fully after an infection, while others develop lasting problems. Effective treatments are scarce, and patients often face uncertainty.

Run for their lives

To address this urgent challenge, more research is needed, research that looks beyond individual diseases, focuses on shared mechanisms, and brings together experts from different fields. At the Amsterdam Institute for Immunology & Infectious Diseases (AI&I), part of Amsterdam UMC, PAIS is a top priority. With over 1,100 researchers and world-leading expertise in infections, immunity, and patient care, AI&I is uniquely positioned to tackle this issue. Our collaborations with national and international partners further strengthen our approach.

With the money raised by our running team we aim to support innovative projects that improve diagnostics, treatments, and quality of life for PAIS patients.

AI&I runners Joan Capella Pujol, Marit van Gils and their colleague

Runner’s perspective: Valentijn Tromp

Valentijn Tromp, one of our AI&I runners, shares his Amstelveen Marathon experience:

"Back in September, I signed up for the Lentemarathon Amstelveen, before even running my first marathon in Amsterdam in October. In hindsight, that might not have been the smartest decision. However, the opportunity to combine running a marathon with raising money for research into post-acute infectious syndromes was simply too good to pass up.

After that first marathon, I developed an injury, which temporarily set me back. With the help of a physiotherapist, I was able to recover and get back on my feet by the end of December, leaving just two and a half months to rebuild towards the race. Fortunately, this period of preparation went remarkably well. With a structured training approach and the right support in the gym, everything progressed smoothly.

In the weeks leading up to the event, training continued to feel strong and consistent. In the final week, I was happy to reach my sponsorship goal of €500, which provided an extra boost of motivation going into race day.

In the days before the marathon, the weather forecast remained uncertain, with predictions ranging from cloudy skies to possible rain. On the day itself, however, conditions turned out to be ideal: around 10 degrees Celsius with sunshine, perfect weather for running a marathon!

The course itself was a true highlight. Starting from the Stadshart of Amstelveen, the route led into the beautiful Amsterdamse Bos, followed by a stretch along the athletics track. From there, a significant part of the marathon took place through the open polder landscape. While scenic, this section included a long, straight 3.5-kilometer stretch with quite some wind, a moment that definitely made me reflect on why I had taken on this challenge in the first place.

Fortunately, the final part of the course more than made up for it. Running alongside the Amstel River and finishing back at the Amstelveense Stadshart created a memorable and uplifting conclusion to the race.

In the end, I finished the marathon in 3:26:11, a time I am very pleased with, especially considering the circumstances leading up to the race. More importantly, it was a rewarding experience to contribute, both personally and through fundraising, to greater awareness and research efforts in post-acute infectious syndromes (PAIS).

Thank you to everyone who supported this effort."

AI&I runner Valentijn Tromp

Join us

We invite you all to support PAIS research and help us improve the lives of patients affected by these challenging conditions. You can still donate now: every contribution makes a difference!