Find out how to run the TCS Marathon in Amsterdam, a legendary event in the north of continental Europe.
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon is a race held every year in the Little Venice of the North. The first edition took place in 1975, and since then its international reputation has only grown! Renowned for its particularly flat aspect, this race is also the perfect opportunity to discover Amsterdam in an atmosphere that’s as sporty as it is cheerful!
The start of the next edition of this legendary race in Europe will take place on Sunday, October 15, 2023. Why not take up the challenge? Find out everything you need to know about the Amsterdam Marathon. In this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know: the history of the race, its characteristics, how to register, our opinion, as well as the attractions to discover on site.
- 📍 Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 🗓️ When: October 15, 2023
- 🏃 Distances: 42.195 km (marathon), 21.0975 km (half-marathon), 8 km
- 🎽 Average number of participants: 15,000 per race
- 💙 We like: The very flat, canal-lined course!
An iconic, performance-driven journey
Photo credit: Finishers
The TCS Marathon Amsterdam is the perfect opportunity to visit the city in a completely different way. For a start, the course takes in the southernmost part of the city rather than the city center. But the points of passage are no less interesting: on this race, you’ll pass by the Rijkmuseum, the Dutch equivalent of the Louvre, as well as the banks of the Amstel River, over flat bridges such as the Toronto-Brug.
You’ll be in a fairly urban landscape during your marathon, but you’ll also pass through green spaces and parks, including the mythical Vonderlpark, the city’s green lung.
Prepare yourself well, because this marathon is very fast! As the course is very flat (the Netherlands is not the flattest country in the world for nothing!), it presents no particular difficulties. You’ll just have to be prepared for wet and rainy conditions. But don’t worry, the sun can also come out very quickly! So make sure you’re properly equipped to cope with any changes in the weather.
If you’re facing rain, if you’re tired at the end of the course, or if on the contrary you’re feeling at ease, know that whatever happens, the last 8 kilometers will give you wings! That’s when you’ll finally be back in the city center. Of course, you’ll finish with a few stops at some legendary places, but above all you’ll be cheered on by numerous bands, supporters and cyclists!
In addition to the race’s interesting route, there are other unstoppable elements to ensure that you have the best possible time. The organization is nothing short of incredible: from Thursday to Sunday, the entire city is alive with the rhythm of the race! Whether it’s your welcome on site, the general atmosphere, the services on offer, the signposting along the route, the Finishers ‘ T-shirt (which you’ll be very proud to get)… Everything is calculated and well-organized to ensure that you have an unforgettable time, from the moment you pick up your number to the after-race.
At the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, it’s easy for your companions to keep up with you during the race. They can easily use the bike paths along most of the course. It’s a great way to cheer you on at 5 or 6 points before joining you at the Olympic Stadium to admire your flamboyant finish!
Focus on the half-marathon
Photo credit: Finishers
If you don’t feel like taking the marathon plunge just yet, or would rather beat your record over a shorter distance, you can choose between the 8km race and the Amsterdam Half Marathon. The distance of the latter is still over 21km, but the course is also very flat. This race is relatively accessible, and ideal for setting a good time! The many straights you’ll take along the way are a big advantage for sprints.
Overall, you’ll run the same route as the marathon, but with fewer stages. The half will not be in the city center either, but will pass through some of Amsterdam’s most popular neighborhoods, namely the West, Zuid and Oost districts.
Most of the sections of the half-marathon are unforgettable. Between roads and waterways, you’ll follow the Amstel river and join the famous Singel canal… Not forgetting the crossing of the historic Amstel bridge. The last 8 kilometers, which will undoubtedly serve as your final sprint, are the same as those taken at the end of the marathon circuit.
You’ll be able to experience a race finish worthy of marathon runners, because half-marathon runners have just as many fans! You’ll finish with a visit to the famous Heineken Experience, in front of the Rijksmuseum, before starting your run in the Dutch capital’s most famous park: Vondelpark. The finish line is the Olympic Stadium! Ready to go?
Register for the Amsterdam Marathon 2023 with Finishers
Photo credit: Finishers
To ensure that your stay is as worry-free as possible, we’ve chosen a solution that’s as simple as it is effective. It’s Finishers, the official reseller that allows you to register quickly and easily for the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. Thanks to the partnership between this legendary race and this major player in the running world, you can obtain your race number at the same price as if you bought it on the event’s website, but with a considerable bonus.
In addition to your registration fee, you can also take out a Cancellation Guarantee, which entitles you to a full refund of your race number. This is of course very practical in the event of unforeseen circumstances preventing you from running the marathon!
For the Amsterdam Marathon, you don’t need a medical certificate. However, you will of course need to train as hard as you can to enjoy the race in complete safety. When you arrive in the Dutch capital, you can pick up your race number at the Marathon Expo, located in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium.
Every year, Finishers enables hundreds of runners to find and register for the competition of their choice. The advantage is that this running specialist is a totally French service! Its website lists numerous road and trail running events. In addition to a calendar, a mountain of information is available. So you can make the best choice for your next objectives.
Once you’ve chosen your race, it’s easy to register, change your mind or cancel, thanks to our Cancellation Guarantee. Then it’s off to get ready for your new challenge. If you need any help or information, Finishers’ 7/7 French after-sales service and live chat ensure impeccable customer service. So you can set off with peace of mind!
So, are you ready to take on the legendary TCS marathon in Amsterdam? Tell us all about it 😉 ! And if you’d like to try your hand at other marathons, we invite you to find inspiration at Finishers!