Rotterdam Marathon

The Rotterdam Marathon was founded in 1981, during the golden age of mass-participation running. Now 45 years old, it has established itself as a beloved fixture in Rotterdam, growing from its early editions into a race with genuine character and loyal following.

Katsuhiko Nakamura etched their name into running history by setting the course record of 02:04:48 in 2019. That time places the Rotterdam Marathon among the fastest courses in the world — a flat, fast stage where records are not just possible but expected.

Runners come to the Rotterdam Marathon for one reason: personal bests. The flat, fast course through Rotterdam has a reputation as a PB factory, with the roads seemingly designed to keep your pace honest and your splits consistent from start to finish.

For thousands of runners each year, the Rotterdam Marathon is their first marathon. The combination of a forgiving course, generous time limits, and supportive crowds has earned this race a reputation as the place where marathon journeys begin. The first-timer energy on race morning is palpable.

Rotterdam has positioned itself as the world's fastest spring marathon — flat, well-paced, and purpose-built for records. The course has produced multiple world records, and the city's pragmatic Dutch efficiency extends to every aspect of race organization. No frills, just fast times.