Next race
Sunday, 28 March 2027
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Historic urban road
Elevation
Flat · 50 m gain
50 m climbing
Race profile
The Leiden Marathon draws about 3,500 finishers each March through the Netherlands' historic university city. The course passes the Pieterskerk, the canals where the Pilgrims once lived, and the Hortus Botanicus on flat Dutch roads. March spring weather and Rembrandt-city scenery make it a charming regional marathon.
Leiden Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 3,500 finishers
Course & terrain
The Leiden Marathon is a very flat city loop that starts and finishes at the Beestenmarkt and passes the Pieterskerk, the Rapenburg canal, and Leiden University. The long flat streets and canal-side roads are easy to pace, the tighter historic turns are the main tougher moments, and spectators are best at the Beestenmarkt, along Rapenburg, and through the university quarter.
The Leiden 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 Leiden Marathon uses open registration at leidenmarathon.nl with no ballot or qualifying standard. Sign-up for the March race typically opens early in the year. The flat Dutch university-city course draws regional club runners and places usually remain available until closer to race day.
Getting there
Rotterdam (RTM)
Rotterdam The Hague Airport
23 km / 14 mi
Amsterdam (AMS)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
25 km / 15 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 Leiden.
The Rotterdam Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 16k finishers on an urban road in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The course starts and finishes on the Coolsingel in the city centre. One of Europe's fastest courses, with only minor bridge gradients.
Next race: Sunday, 11 April 2027
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.
Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026
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.
