Leiden Marathon

The Leiden Marathon is a historic Dutch running festival held in Leiden, Netherlands, combining a city-centre race atmosphere with the flat, open scenery of the surrounding Green Heart. First organized in 1991 after members of the Leiden Road Runners Club were inspired by the New York City Marathon, the event has grown into one of the Netherlands’ most beloved spring races.

The race is organized by the Leiden Marathon organization, consisting of a board, marathon office, and more than 1,100 staff and volunteers. The event is based in Leiden, with the main running distances starting from Koninginnelaan and finishing at Vismarkt in the historic city centre.

For runners, Leiden offers a classic Dutch race experience: a flat, fast course, historic streets, canals, polders, windmills, villages, and strong local support. The marathon route starts in the heart of a 900-year-old city associated with Rembrandt and the Pilgrims, then moves through surrounding villages and countryside before returning to Leiden. It is especially attractive for runners seeking a scenic but performance-friendly course, with the marathon carrying a 6-hour time limit.