The Leiden Marathon is known for its good organization, personal attention for every runner, enthusiastic spectators and fine
atmosphere. With the most beautiful course in The Netherlands with start and finish in the heart of an
900-year old city (where Rembrandt was born and the Pilgrims Fathers lived for 12 years). The marathon of Leiden (also
called Leiden Marathon) is a running race over 42,195 km, held annually
in Leiden since 1991. For the full marathon with
a time limit of six hours applies.
The 42,195 km is one round that combines ancient Leiden with nine beautiful villages in the Green Heart where the marathoners run through a typical landscape of polders, windmills and cows. The Leiden Marathon had in 2018 more than 12.000 runners (1.000 on the full marathon) and on Saturday two thousand walkers who walked on the same route. And is still growing.
Leiden Marathon, Since 1991
The Leiden Marathon was started by the Leiden Road Runners Club, the first members of which gained their first experience of a marathon in New York. When they returned, they decided to organize their own marathon. The Leideners were so impressed by the atmosphere and organization that they took New York as an example. The first team of 48 runners who went to New York came from 3M Netherlands, and was therefore known as the 3M Marathon Team.
The Leiden Road Runners Club was set up as an independent club after the New York trip. The Leiden Road Runners then presented a plan for a local marathon to the management board of 3M. The plan was approved, and 3M sponsored the event for the next 10 years. When – according to the headline in the Leidsch Dagblad – the inhabitants of the city of Leiden and surrounding municipalities ‘embraced’ the very first Leiden Marathon (16 June 1991), it was clear that a wonderful sporting event had been born, which would grow to become a mature marathon.
The running center with small sports expo is situated in the Pieterskerk (900-year old St. Peter´s Church) in the center of Leiden
Personal attention for every runner, a beautiful unique medal, a free beer, free massage, the very nice city center waiting for you
full marathon 18 years, half marathon 16 years, 10K 12 years
Every 5 km refreshment stations with sports drink, water, fruit, sponges (or your own drink) and every 2½K water and sponges.
A beautiful unique medal with every year another unique Leiden design
free guarded storage for your bag
For the full marathon with a time limit of 6 hours applies, for the half marathon 3 hours, for the 10K 2 hours.
Free shuttle from the parking lot (1,5K) to the start/finish and back.
Free personal photo and finish video
no qualifications
Bib-number, chip, pins
Every 5 km refreshment stations with Born Sportsdrink, water, fruit, sponges (we bring your own drink to the spot) and every 2½K water and sponges
Chronotrack
How to get to Leiden? 20-30 min with direct train from from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport OR 60 min with bus and train from Rotterdam The Hauge Airport.
Breestraat Leiden at the height of the town hall.
Breestraat, Leiden, The Netherlands
Fish Market in Leiden, behind the Town Hall.
Vismarkt, 2311 EH Leiden, Netherlands
flat
The trail combines the historical Leiden nine villages in the Green Heart, which the marathoners run through a typical landscape of polders, windmills and cows.now named 'the most beautiful trails in the Netherlands'.
The 42 miles is a whole round and leads through the beautiful and historic Leiden region around the city called the Green Heart. The start is at 10:30 on the Breestraat Leiden at the height of the town hall. The finish is at the Fish Market in Leiden, behind the Town Hall. The trail combines the historical Leiden nine villages in the Green Heart, which the marathoners run through a typical landscape of polders, windmills and cows.
The race information has been found on the official website of the event or through publicly available sources. Always refer to the official website the latest race information. Please let us know if any data is wrong or missing, by emailing us.
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