haarlemsdagbladJun 19, 2026, 19:52

Haarlem residents cool runners with water pistols and hoses during scorching Grachtenloop: ‘Normally I drink wine, now I’m soaking them’

Residents of Haarlem used water pistols, hoses, and showerheads to cool down 5,000 participants during a record-breaking hot edition of the Grachtenloop running event. Organizers set up extra drinking stations and called on locals to help runners manage the extreme heat as they navigated the city center course.

Lifestyle Health Haarlem Netherlands

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by haarlemsdagblad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Chatterbox Roderik connects people with each other

Roderik Schaepman has launched the Week of the Conversation, an initiative aimed at encouraging social interaction to combat loneliness and declining communication skills. By setting up designated spaces at locations like the Haarlem train station, he encourages people to overcome social hesitation through simple steps like greeting and complimenting strangers.

Former swimmer Kira Toussaint on track for first marathon medal

Former champion swimmer Kira Toussaint is transitioning to long-distance running and will participate in the Amsterdam Marathon on October 18. After a decorated swimming career, Toussaint turned to the marathon as a new major challenge to fuel her competitive drive.

Concerns over ending emergency care in Hoofddorp? Information evening draws few visitors

The Spaarne Gasthuis hospital plans to centralize 24-hour emergency care in Haarlem-Zuid by 2033, effectively closing the emergency department in Hoofddorp. Despite significant public and political backlash regarding travel times, a recent information evening in Hoofddorp drew very few attendees.

Firefighters rescue cat from under car hood in Haarlem

Emergency responders in Haarlem successfully rescued a cat that became trapped inside a car engine on Wednesday morning. After initial efforts to free the animal failed, the fire department was called to assist in the delicate operation.

Dutch people ate over half a kilo less meat in 2025 than a year earlier

Meat consumption in the Netherlands dropped by 2 percent in 2025, continuing a ten-year downward trend in the intake of beef and pork. While poultry consumption saw a slight increase, total edible meat intake remains well above the nutritional guidelines set by the Voedingscentrum.