The Amsterdam Marathon

Looking for a big marathon in Europe? Then give the Amsterdam Marathon a go.

With the start and finish in the Olympic stadium and a course that weaves its way through the city centre, taking in many of the local attractions this is a great European event that you should carefully consider. Held annually each October there's also a half marathon and an 8k event if you're not ready for the full marathon. Amsterdam is a fascinating city with so much to see and do.

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Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, has a population of around a million and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the Venice of the North, thanks to its intricate network of canals, its iconic mix of narrow lanes house residential and holiday accommodation, perfect for the millions who descend on the city each year. To find out more about the canals head to the intriguing Het Grachtenmuseum canal house museum and really understand their importance to the city.

You can't come to Amsterdam without visiting the Anne Frank house (tickets can be sold out months in advance, but walking tours are also available), or the 17th-century Royal Palace, still used by the Dutch Royal family. There are many canal boat tours, including one that takes in the Heineken factory. The original brewery on Stadhouderskade and Ferdinand Bolstraat was closed in 1988 and later reopened as the Heineken Experience; an interactive museum and corporate visitor centre. Or hire a bike and explore the city in your own time, including the vast Vondelpark. Just out of the city is the Zaanse Schans, a living and working traditional Dutch community, where you'll see clog-crafting, cheese-making, and Dutch windmills.

In Museumplein you'll get a feel for the importance of art in the city. Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh and many more feature in the many art museums. The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum host many of their works and the Stedelijk Museum of modern art illustrates art is still being created in the city today.

Getting ready!

History of the Amsterdam Marathon

The very first Amsterdam marathon was organised in 1916. The most famous marathon in Amsterdam was in 1928, as part of the Olympic Games and the event continued during the 1930's but the outbreak of the Second World War ended this sequence and the next one wasn't until 1956 and then not until 1975. The marathon in 1975, when 300 ran, was part of the celebration of the city’s 700th birthday.

There are now 45,000 participants, with 105 different nationalities, 150 times as many as 1975.

The historical links with the Olympic Stadium, where the Olympic event took place in 1928, have also been developed. The race holds the Platinum Label, the highest reward of the international athletics federation World Athletics, and has one of the fastest courses in the world.

Race Organiser

It's owned and operated by Le Champion, who manage 60 sports events each year. Originally Le Champion was created for the cycling community but grew to incorporate runners and walkers. It's one of the biggest sports associations in the Netherlands with 20.000 members and 250.000 participants taking part in their events. 70% of members are focused mainly on running.

When is the Amsterdam Marathon?

The race is held annually in October

Distances

Marathon, half marathon, 8km and kids runs.

Is there an Expo?

There is a three day expo held in Sporthallen Zuid. Bib numbers are collected here running merchandise and event souvenirs are available.

How many runners?

45,000, across all distances. 20,000 in the marathon.

The course

The Marathon kicks off from 9.00 to 9.30am depending on your start corral. 15,000 marathon runners Start Area A begin inside the beautifully renovated 85-year-old stadium and 5,000 in Start Area B Stadionweg, right outside the Stadium.

From the Stadium it's north and then east to the Vondelpark, just before the 2km mark. Named after a famous Dutch poet, the Vondelpark is the largest park of the city and was designed in an English landscape style by the architect L.D. Zocher and his son in 1865. With more than 10 million visitors annually, inhabitants of Amsterdam and visitors enjoy this oasis; a place to really get away from it all. It's always filled with skaters, joggers and all sorts of street performers and there is always something to do and see. At 4km runners are in the heart of the museum district, including the Rijksmuseum, the famous passage which connects Amsterdam city centre with the south of Amsterdam. From here it's south to a turn at 8km and then back north before heading east passing through Zuidas, a new part of the city, full of high rise offices and apartments.

From Zuidas it's then a long stretch out and back along the Amstel River. You cross the river to head back north at the 20km mark). This is the rural part of the course. following part of the original Olympic course. The Amstel has played an important part in the city's heritage. It's been supplying it with water and transportation for over 800 years, Rembrandt painted here, there's a famous brewery on its banks, it's lined with monuments and has some of the most scenic bike lanes in the country. There are some gorgeous views on this section of the course and if you're into football (soccer) you'll see the local team's stadium, the Arena, home to Ajax, away to the right.

At 26km you leave the Amstel and head east for a loop north and then west through Amsterdam Oost, known for its bustling markets, vibrant cultural offerings and culinary expertise. At 36km it's past Oosterpark, a fantastic green space filled with ponds, streams, a wading pool for children and plenty of walking paths. At 40km, after racing past cheering crowds in the city's streets, runners are back in the Vondelpark for the final 2km push to the finish back at the Olympic Stadium. Friends and family are allowed in the grandstand at the Stadium and the atmosphere is what you'd expect at an event of this scale. Between 1.00pm and 1.50pm the half marathon starts outside and then finishes here, so there is a buzz for hours!

The Half Marathon is the biggest half in the country and consists of one loop, most of which passes through the centre of the city. It heads through Churchilllaan, Rijnstraat and the Utrechtse Bridge over the Amstel river. Then through Watergraafsmeer and Zeeburg. The rest of the course is the same as that of the full marathon.

What's unique?

Traffic free Amsterdam roads, without even a bike for company. Amsterdam is a pretty unique city at the best of times, but marathon day makes it like no other.

Do charities benefit?

The Marathon organisers support the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF). All runners are asked to make a voluntary donation to KWF while registering. These donations will be used to support groundbreaking cancer research at the Amsterdam UMC Cancer Center Amsterdam. Runners can of course support their favorite charity by setting up a fundraising page.

Our verdict

One of the flattest courses in Europe and organisation that you'd expect from a Platinum label event, this is a top quality marathon that you need to do at least once. The course is packed with landmarks and history, including the odd windmill or two! Having a combination of events and keeping them separate works really well. A stadium start and finish is always really popular and it works very well in Amsterdam.

How to register

Online via the website. The 2023 event sold out in record time. It's a first come first served registration process, with no ballot; yet.

Race website

https://www.tcsamsterdammarathon.eu/