Amsterdam Marathon

Amsterdam Marathon

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Overview

The Amsterdam Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 22k finishers on an urban road in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The course starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium. The route passes the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, the Amstel river, and several canal bridges through central Amsterdam. Very flat, with short climbs on canal crossings.

Amsterdam Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.

Amsterdam Marathon 2026 race day

The next Amsterdam Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 18 October 2026 with a 9:30 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 91 m of climbing on a very flat layout.

Amsterdam Marathon course route

The Amsterdam Marathon is a very flat city loop that starts and finishes inside the 1928 Olympic Stadium, touring the canal ring, Amstelpark, the Amstel River, the Amsterdamse Bos, and the Jordaan before a final lap on the track. Short canal-bridge rises are the only real interruption to fast running, while the strongest support comes at the stadium finish and along the Amstel and canal district.

Amsterdam Marathon route map

Amsterdam Marathon course map and route

Official course map — view on race website

Amsterdam Marathon elevation profile

The Amsterdam Marathon course is very flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 91 metres of climbing and 91 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.

Amsterdam Marathon elevation profile

Amsterdam Marathon elevation profile

Official elevation profile — view on race website

Entry requirements

Amsterdam Marathon is held on the third Sunday of October. Registration is open (no lottery) and typically opens in January or February for the October race, through tcsamsterdammarathon.eu. The full marathon hosts approximately 15,000–18,000 runners, with a further 25,000+ participating in the half marathon, relay, and shorter distances of the Amsterdam Marathon Weekend.

Amsterdam Marathon course video

Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.

TCS Amsterdam Marathon 2025: 3D Video Course Map | 42.2 km - Amsterdam

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Amsterdam Marathon elevation profile?
The Amsterdam Marathon has 91 metres of total climbing and 91 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is very flat, with 0 metres of net change from start to finish.
Where can I find the Amsterdam Marathon route map?
This page includes a Amsterdam Marathon course map showing the full 42.195 km route from start to finish. The official course map is published at www.tcsamsterdammarathon.eu/. Passes the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, the Amstel river, and several canal bridges through central Amsterdam.
How long is the Amsterdam Marathon?
The Amsterdam Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium.
What time does the Amsterdam Marathon start?
The 2026 Amsterdam Marathon starts at 9:30 am local time on Sunday, 18 October 2026. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.tcsamsterdammarathon.eu/ confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
What is the TCS Amsterdam Marathon course route?
The course starts and finishes inside the Olympic Stadium — the beautiful 1928 Olympic Games venue in south Amsterdam. Runners loop out through Amsterdam's canal ring, then head south into Amstelpark and along the Amstel River before looping through the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest), a large woodland park in the southwest. The course returns north through the Jordaan and back to the stadium for a final lap on the track in front of a cheering crowd.
When is the Amsterdam Marathon and how do I enter?
Amsterdam Marathon is held on the third Sunday of October. Registration is open (no lottery) and typically opens in January or February for the October race, through tcsamsterdammarathon.eu. The full marathon hosts approximately 15,000–18,000 runners, with a further 25,000+ participating in the half marathon, relay, and shorter distances of the Amsterdam Marathon Weekend.
Is the Amsterdam Marathon a flat, fast course?
Amsterdam is one of Europe's flattest marathon courses — the Netherlands sits essentially at sea level, and the city's terrain is negligibly undulating. Total climbing is around 91 metres, with the main surface variation being the well-packed but slightly uneven woodland paths in the Amsterdamse Bos section. The flat terrain, cool October weather, and smooth roads through the rest of the course make it an excellent personal-best target.
What is special about finishing inside the 1928 Olympic Stadium?
The Olympisch Stadion was built for the 1928 Amsterdam Summer Olympics and is a protected national monument — a masterpiece of Dutch Art Deco architecture. Running through the tunnel and onto the track in front of a stadium crowd is one of the most memorable finishes in European marathon running. Unlike most city marathons that finish on open streets, Amsterdam's stadium finish creates a genuine athletics-event atmosphere, with the grandstands and track combining for a theatrical conclusion to the race.
What should I expect from Amsterdam's October weather on race day?
October in Amsterdam brings classic Northern European autumn: temperatures typically 8–15 °C (46–59 °F) at race start, with a reasonable chance of light rain. The Netherlands in October is notoriously variable — it can be a crisp, clear running day or a grey, blustery affair. Wind is a particular factor on the more exposed stretches along the Amstel River. Throwaway layers for the start, a hat, and gloves are practical precautions.

Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.

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