2026 Amsterdam Marathon - Oct 18

2026 Amsterdam Marathon - Oct 18 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Amsterdam Marathon - Oct 18
CityAmsterdam
Date2026-10-18 at 09:00
Field Size~22,500 runners
Time Limit6 hours
TimezoneEurope/Amsterdam
Official SiteLe Champion
RegistrationRegister · 145 EUR

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature10°C / 50°F
Humidity80%
Wind18 km/h
Rain Chance35%
Typical ConditionsCool mid-October weather, typically 8-13C (46-55F), with high humidity, a real rain chance and wind off the open polder.

What to Prepare: Wind is the main variable on this exposed, flat course, not heat. The open stretches along the Amstel River have no shelter, so tuck into a pack and draft whenever you can. A light wind-resistant vest plus arm sleeves you can shed handle the cool start and any gusts.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 18 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course TypeLoop
Elevation Gain10m
TerrainRoad
ProfileOne of the flattest and fastest marathons in Europe, with only about 10m of elevation change. The loop starts and finishes inside the historic 1928 Olympic Stadium, runs out along the Amstel River, and passes through Vondelpark before the finish on the old Olympic track. A World Athletics Platinum Label road race built for personal bests.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Training in Amsterdam

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Featured In

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Amsterdam Marathon Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Amsterdam Marathon?

The 2026 TCS Amsterdam Marathon is on Sunday, October 18, 2026, the third Sunday of October, which is the event's traditional slot. The full marathon starts at 9:00 in the morning, with runners set off in waves until about 9:35, with shorter distances such as the 7.5k and Kids Run held the day before on Saturday, October 17.

How much does the Amsterdam Marathon cost to enter?

The full marathon entry fee is EUR 145 through the official site. There is no public lottery, so registration is first-come, first-served and opens in December of the year before. Prices and availability for third-party travel packages will be higher because they bundle in lodging and other services.

Is the Amsterdam Marathon a lottery or first-come registration?

It is first-come, first-served, not a lottery. The full marathon fields around 22,500 runners and has sold out well before race day in recent editions, so signing up early when registration opens is the safest way to secure a spot.

How flat and fast is the Amsterdam Marathon course?

It is one of the flattest big-city marathons in the world, with only around 10m of total elevation change. The pancake-flat profile along the Amstel River, combined with cool autumn weather and a World Athletics Platinum Label, makes it a genuine personal-best course. Use a pace calculator to lock in even splits before race day.

Where does the Amsterdam Marathon start and finish?

The race starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium, built for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics and designed by architect Jan Wils. Runners cross the line on the historic Olympic track inside the stadium, a memorable finish for a destination marathon. The start area is split between the stadium and nearby Stadionweg.

What is the time limit for the Amsterdam Marathon?

The cutoff is 6 hours. The finish line inside the Olympic Stadium closes at 17:00 local time, and a sweeper vehicle follows the back of the field. Runners who fall behind the pace are asked to board the broom wagon and will not receive a medal, so plan a sustainable pace for the full distance.

Is Amsterdam a good marathon for a Boston Qualifier?

Yes. Amsterdam is a World Athletics Platinum Label, certified course, so finish times count toward Boston Marathon qualifying and other championship standards. The flat layout and cool October conditions are well suited to chasing a fast, qualifying time.

How does Amsterdam compare to Berlin or Valencia for a PB?

Amsterdam sits in the same fast autumn European window as Berlin and Valencia and offers a similarly flat, record-eligible course at a lower entry fee and without a lottery. The men's course record is 2:03:30, set by Geofry Kipchumba at the 2025 jubilee edition, with a women's record of 2:16:52. Try a race time predictor to set a realistic goal.

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