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.

The race is held on the rugged trails at Lake Sonoma, about 10 miles northwest of Healdsburg. The course is 86% single track and 9% dirt roads, with the first 2.4 miles on a paved country road.The race starts at 6:30 a.m. and has a 14-hour time limit.

This exciting half-marathon has many unique features. It starts and finishes inside Chukchansi Park in downtown Fresno. Runners will experience running through the newly renovated downtown areas, passing City Hall, the newly built Federal Court House, the Granville Lofts, Eaton Plaza and the historic Water Tower. Runners will then head to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, where they will run past the elephants, lions, tigers and bears.

After being entertained by the animals, competitors will leave the zoo and run by one of Fresno’s most famous landmarks, the Tower District, where they will be cheered on by crowds of spectators, before finally finishing inside Chukchansi Stadium, home of the San Francisco Giants Triple-A farm team, the Fresno Grizzlies.

For ultra athletes, there will be a Bike Century held on Saturday, and the competitors can then run the Half-Marathon on Sunday to complete the Classic Challenge. The medalion for the Bike Century fits together with the medalion for the Half-Marathon to form one medalion!

As if all of this wasn't enough, there will be bands at every mile of the half-marathon race.

Making a resolution to be more active? Looking to break a personal record? Want to do something for yourself? Hoping to start a fun new tradition with friends and family? This is the event for you! Join the thousands of others who will take to the Avenue for the 10k. Enjoy block after block of great local bands and spirit groups. Revel in the crazy costumes or dress up yourself. Celebrate spring, and experience everything you love about RVA. However you participate, do it your way!

The Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k has got it all! Named one of the best races in the country (thanks, USA Today!), Richmond's biggest block party is the place to be come Saturday morning. With over 40,000 participants, you' re bound to be entertained whether it's by costumed runners, Spirit Groups, Party Stops, live music or that guy/gal out front dashing for the cash. Throw in a race for kiddies and a rockin' post-race party, and you've got yourself one of the best social events of the year!