Sun, Oct 18 · 2026AmsterdamSince 1975

Amsterdam Marathon

Amsterdam's marathon loops through a canal city and out along the Amstel River, offering a genuinely fast course in cool autumn air. It is one of Europe's most accessible big-city marathons, open to anyone willing to register early.

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AMSTERDAM · NL
Amsterdam
SUN, OCT 18
2026
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Race Overview

EST. 1975

Amsterdam starts and finishes inside the old Olympic Stadium, which is a genuinely cool moment on both ends. The first miles take you through the city streets, and the course then opens up along the Amstel River for a long out-and-back stretch. That river section is the one to watch. It can be exposed and windy, and if you go out too hard there you will feel it on the way back. Don't go with the flat course and push early. Be patient and save something for the return leg.

This is a real PR course if the weather cooperates. The whole thing is essentially flat, the roads are wide, and the October temperatures are cool enough that heat is rarely the enemy. Rain and wind are the variables, so check the forecast in the days before and dress accordingly. Getting in is straightforward compared to most big city marathons. Registration is open and first-come, first-served, so if you want a spot you just need to sign up before it sells out. Charity entries are also available if you miss the open window. For a fast European autumn marathon with no lottery stress, this one is hard to beat.

Field size
~32k
32,000 finishers
BQ rate
Boston qualifier
Time limit
6:00
Tight cutoff
Entry
Open
First-come registration
Course records
Men
2:03:31
Geoffrey Toroitich
2025
Women
2:16:52
Yalemzerf Yehualaw
2024

The Course

301 ft total gain
Total ascent
301 ft
Total descent
301 ft
Net elevation
0 ft
Highest point
16 ft
Lowest point
-13 ft
Course shape
Loop
Start and finish in one place

Amsterdam runs as a loop starting and finishing at the Olympic Stadium, with elevation barely a factor on this famously flat Dutch course. The highest point is just 16 feet above sea level and the lowest dips slightly below it, so net elevation is zero. Cumulative gain and loss each sit around 300 feet, spread evenly across the route. The Amstel River section exposes you to variable wind, which can cut into your pace on the return leg if conditions shift. The course suits negative splits if you hold back early. Save your effort for the Amstel stretch, where headwind is a real possibility, and you can bank time on the flat urban sections in the second half.

DIFFICULTYFLATPR-FRIENDLYYES

Race-Day Weather

10-year median
Low
48°F
High
58°F
30°MARATHON-IDEAL 4560°80°
What to expect

Mid-October in Amsterdam runs cool and often damp. You're looking at a low-to-mid 40s start that warms into the upper 50s by the back half, which is a reasonable window for racing. The bigger factor is wind. The course is flat and exposed in places, so a headwind in the later miles can cost you more than the temperature ever would. Dress in throwaway layers for the corral and plan to race the wind as much as the clock if conditions turn.

Entry

OPEN

Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Charity entries are also available via partner organizations with a fundraising commitment (minimum €750 for 2025 edition). Tour operator packages available as alternative entry method.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in
Closest airport
AMS
7 mi
from the start
11 min transferOn the doorstep
What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into AMS, about 7 miles from the start, right on the doorstep by rideshare or transit, roughly a 11-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Amsterdam so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.

Frequently Asked

7 questions
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