Photo credit: Luboš Nováček. From left to right: Marja Schuurman (council member Cees' athletics club Altis), Joost Clerx (council member Atletiekunie, Athletics Federation Netherlands), Cees Stolwijk, Margit Jungmann (president World Masters Athletics), Peter de Leeuw (chair Platform Masters Netherlands).
On Sunday, September 20, 2026, Margit Jungmann handed over the award: “2025 WMA Best Male Masters of the Year” to Cees Stolwijk, during the national final of the masters competition in Leiden (Netherlands).
Cees was supposed to receive the award in Daegu, but he could not attend, so the award was presented in the Netherlands instead.
Margit came to Leiden specifically to hand it over to Cees; he thought it was amazing.
Honoring text
“Cees produced one of the most remarkable seasons in Masters Athletics history. In 2025, he set eight World Masters Athletics records, including outdoor records in the 1500m, mile, 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m, and indoor records in the 1500m, mile, and 3000m. He also achieved ten world number one rankings across middle and long-distance events, from the 800m to the 10,000m, both indoors and outdoors.
What makes these accomplishments even more impressive is that Cees began running at the age of 45 and only later discovered the training methods that would unlock his potential. Today, he holds more than eighty Dutch, European, and World titles. In 2025, he surpassed many records set by the legendary Ed Whitlock, an athlete he deeply admires and respects.
Among his many achievements, Cees recalls the 10,000m world record in Hengelo as a particularly memorable moment. Running alone in cold and windy conditions, with little expectation beyond a national record, he delivered an unexpected world record performance that he described as feeling like a “lone warrior.”
Cees credits his success to consistent hard work, the support of his training group, and the encouragement of his wife, Bernadette. While grateful for the gift of good health, he emphasizes that the discipline to complete demanding training sessions year after year has been his own contribution.
An athlete who excels from the 800 meters to the marathon, Cees has always embraced being an all-rounder, demonstrating that passion, perseverance, and dedication can lead to extraordinary achievements at any age.” (Margit Jungmann)
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