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Amsterdam Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Amsterdam Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 88 [displaying comments 81 to 88]
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A Runner from Scotland
(10/30/2002)
 "Great event with typical Dutch attitude" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I Have now run this event twice. The latest course is super, starts and ends in the 1928 Olympic stadium and follows (as far as possible) the route of that year's Olympic course. Some urban parts, some scenic (including a chance to see the lead pack 5 to 8 km ahead across the Amstel canal), but always flat. Support is sporadic but still encouraging. Organisation is laid back, but still effective and effcient. Don't know what the last reviewer did or expected but, for me, the Sportshalle was simple to find (the map couldn't be clearer) and the water and AA drink was more than adequate. What else do you need? Perhaps some people have been spoiled by too many huge, commericial events (you won't find candy and fruit along the way, in fact I bet the 1928 runners had nothing at all!) | |
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A Runner from Velburg, Germany
(10/24/2002)
 "Completed Marathon 20 Oct 2002" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I have to aggree with the comments made by the previous runners. Not much changed. The course was flat, fast, and very nice. Truly enjoyed running through the city and the Amstel canal. On the downside, organization and support was most frustrating. Just finding the location of the Sporthalle took me over 2 hours. I could not find a single sign or poster indicating that there is a marathon run that weekend in Amsterdam. Another point, bring your own food ;other then water and AA drinks, there was no other nourishment available. I loved the city and would do the run again, but I urge potential runners to read the above comments as they are accurate. | |
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Jimmy Freeman from Los Angeles, California, USA
(10/23/2002)
 "WORST of the BIG CITY marathons?" (General Comments)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Having been to Amsterdam once before, I was excited to see how the city handled an event like the marathon. I've seen and run marathons in San Diego, LA, Chicago, and Kona, among others, and think Amsterdam is up there among the best of the WORLD CLASS cities. I couldn't have been MORE disappointed. I am a marathon training coach, and I also had 10 runners with me to run the marathon and half-marathon, and was horrified at how disorganized everything was. One person made the arrangements for our whole group. One contact, one credit card, simple, right? They didn't have 1 of our runners in their system, and then another they lost her race number. Out of the 10, only 3 were paid for, and only 4 had addresses resembling our actual contact information. Then there's the race itself. Cobblestone, about the ONLY surface worse than concrete, for MILES. The worst part was how they handled the slower runners in my group. The start and finish line for the race was inside the Olympic Stadium, completely away from trains, traffic, etc., but they closed the finish line at exactly 6 hours anyway, and refused medals to anyone after that. They published what times they would close down parts of the course (i.e. open them up to traffic), and 15-20 minutes before that, they blockaded those parts, and told runners the race was over and they had to get on a bus to go back to the start. My runners were on pace for 5hr, 40min, refused to get on the bus, and pushed past the blockade to make it to the finish in time, thank God. I registered for the race, and as a coach, tried to make it to the finish line for one of my runners only to have an organizer hold me back and say 'runners only', at which time I showed him my race number and he still wouldn't let me pass. This race was in it's 27th running. I expect this kind of stuff from SMALL CITY events in their 1st year. Totally unacceptable from a world class city in it's 27th year. I highly recommend visiting Amsterdam, but NOT for their marathon, you will be extremely disappointed, unless you have a high tolerance for BS. | |
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A Runner from Amsterdam
(11/12/2001)
"Amsterdam - PB" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Amsterdam was my first marathon and therefore a personal best! I managed to keep a very steady pace through the race due to the flatness of the course and the limited number of runners. The volunteers at the finish in the Olympic Stadium were very friendly. I highly recommend this marathon for beginners. | |
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A Runner from 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
(10/22/2001)
 "A very fast course." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a fast and flat marathon, as advertised. The course was set up with aid stations every 5 kilometers but after 15 they started to either come every 4 (so you thought you were farther) or every 6 or 7 (so you were dying of thirst). The crowds at the end were great but with a 10k starting on our last 10, it was a bit confusing and depressing being passed by all of the fresh starters. The crowds lined the last 5 kilometers giving a lot of much needed support and cheers. Finishing in the Olympic stadium was fantastic, hearing your name called and the crowds cheering was just awesome. A downside to the marathon was the lack of bananas or oranges along the way. They were there at the end but we were allowed only 1 quarter of an orange and 1 half a banana so that the half-marathoners would have some as well. I think I would have gladly paid extra for a whole banana! But ah well, I finished and it was great. | |
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A Runner from Bangkok
(10/22/2001)
"Ran the race yesterday....good race." (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is an excellent marathon for the first timer or for the 3:30 - 4:30 marathoner. The course is very nice, with a long stretch through the countryside. Dutch fans are very supportive of runners, but there were far less than Rotterdam. Overall, a fine race, I highly recommend it. You will not get lost in the crowd because there are only 2,000 runners. The start and finish are on the track in the old Olympic Stadium of 1928. Enjoy! | |
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A Runner from Laredo, Texas
(7/27/2000)
"A Dutch treat." (about: 1999)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The Marathon course is a double loop, flat, fast, and uncrowded. The race itself is very well organized. Packet pick up and expo were just the opposite. VERY disorganized. But the Dutch are so nice, who cares? Accomodations, food, museums, and other extracurriculars are all great. It's really hard to beat Amsterdam for a fall getaway. I'm considering 2000. But what is Delta Lloyd - no one could tell me. Nor what the XXX stands for in the coat of arms (not the obvious). | |
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A Runner from Houston, Texas
(6/7/2000)
"Fast, Flat and Fun..." (about: 1999)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Ran it on October 18, 1999. My first time to Europe so I decided to combine a marathon with my vacation. Amsterdam Marathon was FLAT and FAST!! Two loops around the main city, crossing numerous channels. The weather was great (50's) and good support throughout the race. A great way to see the city. Carry a small camera for great photo opportunities. Small race of ~1500 runners of which only about 150 were women. I found the pre-race a bit disorganized and the Expo lacking. Post race was uneventful with only a table of sliced fruit and water/AA drink. Over all, I enjoyed the marathon and Amsterdam very much!! |
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