Next race
Friday, 9 April 2027
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Flat · 50 m gain
50 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Approximately 4,500 finishers
Course & terrain
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 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.
Registration
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.
Getting there
Greven (FMO)
Münster Osnabrück Airport
55 km / 34 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
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
The Marathon Eindhoven attracts about 3,000 finishers each October on one of the Netherlands' fastest courses. The flat loop through Brainport Eindhoven passes the Philips Stadium area, high-tech campus districts, and the city centre. October cool weather and dead-flat Dutch terrain make Eindhoven a popular personal-best attempt in the south of the Netherlands.
Next race: Sunday, 11 October 2026
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
When a flat course helps your time, when hills are worth the view, and how to pick terrain that fits your training and goals.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
