The Netherlands is one of the few countries in Europe that hosts more than one very large marathon event.
While in Germany everyone is talking about the Berlin Marathon, in Austria the Vienna City Marathon dominates or for example in France the Paris Marathon attracts the crowds, in the Netherlands there are several big marathon events that will make your heart beat faster.
The biggest running events in the Netherlands
The two big players in the Netherlands are the Rotterdam Marathon in spring and the Amsterdam Marathon in fall. Other highlights over the 42.195 kilometers are the Enschede Marathon and the Marathon Eindhoven. But one after the other...
2 big marathons in spring
The first big marathon event of the year is the Rotterdam Marathon. This usually takes place at the beginning of April. This is one of the fastest marathons in the world and about the same as the Amsterdam Marathon, the fastest marathon on Dutch soil. In the past millennium, Rotterdam has even hosted world marathon bests on several occasions. More than 8,000 athletes compete in the marathon, which runs through the city of Rotterdam.
The oldest marathon in Western Europe
Another major marathon event in the spring is the Enschede Marathon. Although the top times here are not quite as fast, the marathon scores points for its long tradition. For the first time was run in Enschede in 1947 over the 42.195 kilometers. This makes it the oldest marathon in Western Europe. Including the fringe events, the event has around 10,000 registered runners.
In the fall, it's not only worth traveling to the Amsterdam Marathon, but also to the Eindhoven Marathon, which is one of the largest sporting events in the Netherlands with around 25,000 participants. The marathon has been held since 1982 and is one of the fastest in the country. The course records are 2:05 and 2:24 hours.
Fast and beautiful: The Amsterdam Marathon
A touch faster than Eindhoven is run in the Dutch capital at the Amsterdam Marathon. The start and finish are in Amsterdam's Olympic Stadium. The course of the marathon runs along the Amstel River and through the city center, among other places.
Runners from Germany love this half marathon
Very close to the German border, Venlo hosts the "Venloop" running event every spring. This atmospheric half marathon is usually fully booked within a short time. The fastest runners cover the Venloop in less than an hour. Several thousand participants travel to the Venloop from Germany.
More running and triathlon recommendations in the Netherlands
The best-known triathlon events in the Netherlands are the IRONMAN 70.3 Westfriesland (middle distance) and the Challenge Almere-Amsterdam (middle distance and long distance). Directly on the coast, the Kustmarathon Zeeland is also held in the fall. In this marathon, part of the course is even run directly on the sandy beach.
Besides Venloop, the NN CPC Loop Den Haag is another well-known half marathon in the Netherlands. This race has been held since 1975. About 10,000 male and female runners compete in the half marathon. The Hague has even set world records over the half marathon distance in the past. It is therefore one of the fastest half marathons in the world.
All Running Races in the Netherlands (sorted by date) can be found in the following overview:
Running competitions 2024 in the Netherlands
Egmond Halve Marathon
 | 14.01.2024 |
| 12.01.2025 |
 | Egmond aan Zee |
 | 21,1 km / 10,5 km / 3 km / 2 km / 1,8 km / 1 km |
Abdijcross - Kerkrade Cross & Trail
| 20.01.2024 |
| 18.01.2025 |
| Kerkrade |
| 21 km / 10,5 km / 7,4 km / 5,2 km |
Den Haag Halbmarathon (NN CPC Loop Den Haag)
| 10.03.2024 |
| 09.03.2025 |
| Den Haag |
| 21,1 km / 10 km / 5 km / 2,5 km / 1 km |
Ultimate Warrior Obstacle Run
| 06.04.2024 |
| 05.04.2025 |
| Reuver |
| 24 Stunden / 56 km / 28 km / 21 km / 14 km / 7 km / 5 km / 3 km |
IRONMAN 70.3 Westfriesland
| 23.06.2024 |
| 22.06.2025 |
| Hoorn |
| Mitteldistanz (Middle Distance) / Olympische Distanz (Olympic) / Sprint |
YU MAN RACE Obstacle Run Nijverdal
| 08.09.2024 |
| 07.09.2025 |
| Nijverdal |
| 21 km (50 Hindernisse) / 15 km (45 Hindernisse) / 10 km (40 Hindernisse) / 5 km (25 Hindernisse) |
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam
| 14.09.2024 |
| 13.09.2025 |
| Almere |
| Langdistanz / Mitteldistanz / Challnge4All / Kinder / Senior Challenge / Staffel |
Strong Viking Amsterdam
| 22.09.2024 |
| 21.09.2025 |
| Velsen-Zuid |
| 60 km / 42 km / 19 km / 13 km / 7 km / 4 km |
Mud Masters Obstacle Run - Biddinghuizen
| 28.09.2024 |
| 27.09.2025 |
| Biddinghuizen |
| 42 km / 16 km / 12 km / 6 km / 5 km / 3 km |
Marathon Eindhoven
| 13.10.2024 |
| 12.10.2025 |
| Eindhoven |
| 42,2 km / 21,1 km / 10 km / 5 km / 1 mile / 5KM4ALL |
Go to the running calendar Netherlands
More sports in Holland:
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