How do I enter the NN Marathon Rotterdam?

Entry uses a pre-registration lottery that opens in September, where all applicants have equal chances. Registration closes when the cap is reached or around September 22. Charity entries are also available through KWF (Dutch Cancer Society) and KLABU partnerships if you miss the lottery.

Is the NN Marathon Rotterdam a Boston qualifier?

Yes, Rotterdam is a certified Boston qualifying course. The flat profile makes it one of the more realistic options in Europe for runners targeting a qualifying time.

What is the elevation profile like?

The course is point to point with essentially zero net elevation change. There are no significant climbs. Brief bridge crossings introduce minor undulation, but the route is one of the flattest major city marathons you'll find.

What is the typical race-day weather in Rotterdam?

Race day in mid-April typically sits in the mid-to-upper 40s Fahrenheit. Conditions are usually cool and workable for fast running, though wind off the water can be a factor and is worth planning for.

How large is the field?

The race operates under a cap of around 18,000 participants, making it a substantial city marathon with strong crowd support throughout the course.

How do I get to Rotterdam for the race?

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international hub, roughly 43 miles away and about 30-35 minutes by direct train. Staying near Coolsingel puts you close to the finish and well connected by metro and train, with stations at Beurs and Rotterdam Central nearby.

Sun, Apr 11 · 2027RotterdamSince 1981

NN Marathon Rotterdam

Rotterdam is one of Europe's flattest marathon courses, drawing runners who mean business with their finish times. The city turns out loud and the course gives back everything you put in.

FlatOpen

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NN ROTTERDAM · NL

NN Rotterdam

SUN, APR 11

2027

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Race Overview

EST. 1981

Rotterdam is built for runners who show up with a goal time. The course is flat. Not just gentle-rolling flat, but genuinely, relentlessly flat. You'll notice it from the first mile and you'll be tempted to bank time early. Don't. The openness of the course means wind can sneak up on you, especially on the bridge crossings over the Maas, and a headwind at mile 20 on a flat course still hurts.

The city itself gets behind the race in a real way. The crowds through the center of Rotterdam are consistent and loud, and the finish on the Coolsingel, one of the city's main boulevards, is the moment the whole day builds toward. It's worth every bit of it. Entry opens in September through a pre-registration lottery where everyone gets equal odds, and charity spots through the KWF and KLABU partnerships are available if you miss the draw. If you're chasing a PR or a Boston qualifier, Rotterdam is one of the more honest courses you'll find in Europe.

Field size

~18k

18,000 finishers

BQ rate

—

Boston qualifier

Time limit

—

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:03:36

Bashir Abdi

2021

Women

2:18:56

Mekides Shimeles

2026

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

—

Lowest point

—

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

Rotterdam runs point to point through the city on a net-zero elevation course. There are no meaningful climbs. The route crosses several bridges over the Maas and city waterways, which introduce brief false-flat moments, but nothing that disrupts rhythm. The real pacing risk here is going out too fast on the dead-flat first half. Wind off the water can be a factor in April, particularly on exposed bridge crossings and open riverside stretches. The back half stays flat, so positive-split damage compounds quickly. Run even or slightly conservative through mile 16 and the course will pay you back.

View official course map Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

46°F

High

48°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

April in Rotterdam runs cool and damp. You're looking at temperatures in the mid-to-upper 40s for most of the race, which sounds ideal, but the North Sea proximity means wind is a real variable. Dress in a light throwaway layer for the corral and expect that the chill on exposed bridge sections might linger longer than you'd think. On a calm day this is a genuinely fast weather window. On a windy day you'll be racing the conditions as much as the clock.

Entry

OPEN

Pre-registration lottery system with equal chances for all applicants. Charity entries available via KWF (Dutch Cancer Society) and KLABU partnerships.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

AMS

29 mi

from the start

≈ 46 min transferEasy transfer

What to expect

Rotterdam is accessible via Amsterdam Airport (43 miles away, ~30-35 min by train). Stay central near Coolsingel; public transport (metro, train) recommended with stations at Beurs and Rotterdam Central nearby.