Enschede, Overijssel, Netherlands
The Enschede Marathon is the Netherlands' oldest marathon, drawing about 4,500 finishers each April through the eastern city near the German border. The flat course passes the University of Twente campus and the city centre on wide Dutch roads. April spring weather and dead-flat terrain make it a fast eastern Netherlands marathon.
Enschede Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Enschede Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 18 April 2027 with a 9:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 50 m of climbing on a very flat layout.
The Enschede Marathon is a loop that starts and finishes in the city centre and passes the Grolsch Veste, the University of Twente, and the rebuilt Roombeek district. The route is very flat through the Twente lowlands, and spectators gather in the city centre and near the stadium.
The Enschede Marathon course is very flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
The Enschede Marathon uses open registration at enschedemarathon.nl with no ballot or qualifying time. Sign-up for the April race in eastern Netherlands typically opens early in the year. As one of the Netherlands' established spring marathons, places usually remain available until closer to race day.
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Enschede.
The Münster Marathon draws about 4,500 finishers each October through the bicycle capital of Germany. The course passes the Prinzipalmarkt arcades, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Aasee lake on flat Westphalian terrain. October autumn weather and the historic Prinzipalmarkt finish make it a charming western German marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 16 May 2027
The Essen Marathon (Westenergie Marathon) draws approximately 1,200 finishers each April through the Ruhrgebiet's former coal and steel capital now transformed into a cultural city. The course passes the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex — a UNESCO World Heritage site — Baldeneysee lake, and the Grugapark on flat Ruhr valley terrain. April's Ruhr spring makes it a symbol of Germany's industrial reinvention.
Next race: Sunday, 25 April 2027
The Rhein-Ruhr Marathon attracts approximately 1,144 finishers each May through Duisburg at the confluence of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers. The course passes the Inner Harbour (Innenhafen), the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, and the Rheinpark on flat industrial-heritage terrain. May's Ruhr spring and the transformed industrial landscape make it a unique marathon in Germany's largest urban agglomeration.
Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027
The Düsseldorf Marathon attracts about 5,000 finishers each April on a flat Rhine riverfront loop through the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia. The course passes the Rheinturm TV tower, Königsallee shopping boulevard, and MedienHafen harbour district. Düsseldorf's spring marathon is a fast, scenic tour of one of Germany's most prosperous cities.
Next race: Sunday, 25 April 2027
The Utrecht Marathon attracts about 6,000 finishers each May through the Netherlands' fourth-largest city. The course passes the Dom Tower, the Oudegracht canal, and the Jaarbeurs area on flat Dutch terrain. May spring weather and a central historic-city route make it a popular Dutch marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
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