Amsterdam, Nederland 19 Oct 2025
Source: https://www.tcsamsterdammarathon.nl/ and https://www.instagram.com/tcsamsterdammarathon/ ; https://www.facebook.com/TCSAmsterdamMarathon
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon has a rich history that dates back to 1975, though the city of Amsterdam has a longer legacy with long-distance running, including hosting the 1928 Olympic marathon.
Key moments in the history of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon:
- 1975: The first annual Amsterdam Marathon was held on May 3, coinciding with the city’s 700th anniversary. It began and ended at the Olympic Stadium, a tradition that continues today. The inaugural event had around 300 participants.
- Early years: The race was initially held in the spring. In its early days, the event saw victories by notable runners like Bill Rodgers (1977) and Gerard Nijboer, who would go on to win the race four times (1980, 1984, 1988, 1989), more than any other runner. Nijboer’s time of 2:09:01 in 1980 was considered a world-best performance at the time.
- A brief cancellation: The marathon was canceled in 1978 when its sponsor pulled out.
- Move to autumn: Since 1991, the race has been held in the autumn, typically in October.
- Olympic Stadium connection: The marathon has a strong historical link to the Olympic Stadium, which was built for the 1928 Games. The stadium has served as both the start and finish line for the race since its inception, with the exception of a period between 1979 and 2000 when the stadium was undergoing renovations.
- Growth and prestige: Over the decades, the marathon has grown significantly, evolving from a small-scale local event to a major international road race. Today, it holds a World Athletics Platinum Label, a testament to its high standards and fast course. It is now one of the largest and most international running events in the Netherlands, attracting tens of thousands of participants from around the world.
- Sponsorship: The event is currently sponsored by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which is why it is officially known as the TCS Amsterdam Marathon.
- Recent highlights: The TCS Amsterdam Marathon is known for having one of the fastest courses in the world, leading to many course records being set. The men’s record is 2:03:39, set by Tamirat Tola in 2021, and the women’s record is 2:16:52, set by Yalemzerf Yehualaw in 2024.
- 2020 cancellation: The event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon event weekend features a variety of disciplines, offering something for runners of all levels and ages. The main disciplines are:
- TCS Marathon: The full 42.195 km marathon, which is the main event and a World Athletics Platinum Label Road Race.
- Mizuno Half Marathon: A 21.1 km race that takes place on the same day as the full marathon.
- TCS 8K: A shorter 8 km run (sometimes listed as 7.5K) that is part of the weekend’s events and is designed for runners who want to experience the marathon atmosphere without the long distance.
- Kids Run and Mini Marathons: Races specifically for children, with various distances (such as 1,000 meters and 1,600 meters) and locations, including a Kids Run in the Olympic Stadium and Mini Marathons along the main course.
In addition to the running events, the weekend often includes other activities like the International Marathon Expo, the Good Morning City Run, and a traditional pasta party.
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon is a multi-day event with a full program of activities for runners and spectators. The main events take place on a weekend in October, with the full marathon and half marathon on Sunday.
The program typically includes:
Thursday
- International Marathon Expo: The official expo opens, where participants can pick up their bib numbers and visit various running-related vendors.
- Press conference: A press conference is held to present the elite field of runners.
Friday
- International Marathon Expo: The expo continues, with bib number pickup available for participants.
Saturday
- Amsterdam City Walk: A walking event is held, typically starting in the morning.
- Good Morning City Run: A short, non-competitive run takes place in the morning, often from Museum Square.
- International Marathon Expo: The expo remains open for bib number pickup and shopping.
- Heroes Run & Kids Run: Various races for children are held, often with distances of 1,000 meters and 1,600 meters.
- TCS 8K: A shorter race is held, allowing runners to participate in the event weekend without committing to a long distance.
- Pasta Party: A traditional pre-race pasta party is often held for participants to fuel up.
Sunday
- TCS Marathon: The main event, the full 42.195 km marathon, typically starts in the morning from the Olympic Stadium.
- Mini Marathons: Shorter races for children and families are often held at various points along the course.
- Mizuno Half Marathon: The 21.1 km race takes place in the afternoon, often with a separate start time.
- Finish line closes: The finish line at the Olympic Stadium typically closes at a set time in the afternoon.
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