Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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.
Utrecht Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Utrecht Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 2 May 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 Utrecht Marathon is a very flat Dutch loop starting and finishing at the Jaarbeurs convention centre, passing the Dom Tower, Oudegracht canals, and Wilhelminapark. The canal-side and park sections are the easiest because the terrain barely changes, while the tight historic turns and bridge crossings are the tougher interruptions to an otherwise fast rhythm. Spectator support is strongest at the Jaarbeurs, around the Dom Tower, and along the Oudegracht.
The Utrecht 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 Utrecht Marathon uses open registration at utrechtmarathon.com with no ballot or qualifying time. Sign-up for the April race typically opens early in the year. With around 6,000 finishers, it is one of the Netherlands' established spring marathons and can fill before 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 Utrecht.
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 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.
Next race: Sunday, 28 March 2027
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 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
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