Each October, thousands of international runners line up in the famous Amsterdam Marathon, one of the most popular marathon courses in the world.
The race planners pride themselves on attracting astounding numbers of runners from around the world, making this a great marathon to run if you like the idea of racing side-by-side with the world. In 2009 I finished my first marathon under three hours and it was in Amsterdam!
The Rotterdam Marathon is another famous marathon in The Netherlands.
With a history stretching more than thirty-five years, this is definitely a reputable race that any runner would love to add to their athletic resume. Winning it? That would be a dream come true for many around the world.
Amsterdam Marathon Course
What draws so many people to Amsterdam each year is the scenic marathon route. There is a half marathon and several shorter runs taking place on the same day, but the highlight remains the scenic marathon route through the city center.
The course may vary from year to year, but you usually get to run past Olympic Stadium, the Amstel River, and the historic Amsterdam canals. You also get to race through the city into the nature reserves by the water and into beautiful parkways. It is definitely a course that doubles as a sightseeing vacation.
Just like all great marathons, there are always crowds of people cheering the racers on from the sidelines. Most of the action takes place at the Olympic Stadium, where viewers can climb the bleachers free of charge and enjoy a wide range of live entertainment acts. They get to scream for the passing runners while enjoying the entertainment for hours on end.
Amsterdam Marathon Training Plan
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Marathon Rules
There is a strict time limit for completing the Amsterdam Marathon. Once the completion time has passed, the roads are opened back up to traffic after all remaining racers are picked up by representatives of the race. This is standard with all marathons these days, but it means you need to train for the allotted time of the marathon to make sure you can make it without falling too far behind schedule.
You can check their website each year to see what the start and cutoff times will be for the year you wish to race. This can vary from year to year.
If you want to travel with your family, there is a race for just for children. If you would like to make it a company affair, there are entries for business relay teams as well. There are also special spaces available for elite racers.
Beginning long distance runners may also be drawn to this exciting event for their very first marathon. There is a way for everyone to participate in this event.
Amsterdam Marathon Registration
Registration for the Amsterdam Marathon starts in early January and closes in September. There is a maximum number of runners allowed each year, so if entry tickets sellout before September, then late registrants are out of luck.
This is definitely a race that you want to sign up for early, so get off the fence around the first of the year and decide if you want to give it a try or not. Registrations are taken online from around the world, so it is fast and easy to get in if you want in.
Another option for gaining entry is through the travel packages offered through Advanced Travel Partner, or ATP. You can purchase a package that includes all of your accommodations for the trip plus a guaranteed entry into the race. This is a great option for international racers, but you will have to jump on the packages quickly as they do sell out fast. Packages do not include your airfare, so you will still need to line up flights that work with your accommodations.
As a race participant, you also get to visit the Marathon Expo, along with tens of thousands of other runners. This is a great place to mingle with other racers and shop for products marketed to runners. You can browse products that you have never seen before and gather samples for products you would like to try before buying. This is a fun even that many racers arrive in Amsterdam early just to attend.
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