The marathon has been the biggest one-day sporting event in the Netherlands for many years in a row with over 35000 athletes professionals inclusive. The world's top athletes will at the start on the bustling coolsingel, alongside thousands of other runners who will also triumph,each in their own way.The marathon weekend is a wonderful blend of top sport and festival.

No other marathon in Netherlands can match the atmosphere in Rotterdam, 925,000 spectators along the course make party complete.The idea of an international marathon in Rotterdam originated in 1980. On 17 May of that year the Rotterdam Athletic Union PAC organized the national 25-kilometer championship to commemorate its 85th anniversary.The course, which was financially supported by the magazine Het Leven, went from the Nenijto-sintelbaan to Nieuwerkerk aan de Ijssel and back. In 1937 the race was considered to be the national championship.

The world’s top athletes as well as thousands of runners from home and abroad get to experience what it’s like to finish on the renowned Coolsingel; it’s a marathon weekend that combines top sporting action with a festival feel. No other marathon in the Netherlands can match the Rotterdam atmosphere, with more than 925,000 enthusiastic spectators along the course.

The Rotterdam Marathon often produces very fast times, as the course is flat and weather conditions are typically favorable.