Leiden, Netherlands
May 12, 2024
http://www.marathon.nl
Apr 19, 2024
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Marathon Details - Leiden Marathon
International Marathons > Netherlands > Leiden > Leiden MarathonLeiden Marathon & Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
| Results: | Top 3 Finishers by Year |
Contact
| Name: | ||
| Address: | Marathonbureau
Postbus 2074 2301 CB Leiden Netherlands |
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| Phone Number: | 071-5144461 | |
| Fax Number: | 071-5139182 | |
| Email: | Email the organizers | |
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Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 10
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J. S. from The Hague, The Netherlands
(5/28/2013)
 "Nice combination of historic city and countryside" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Leiden Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 For the first time in years the Leiden marathon consisted of a single loop through the countryside that surrounds this historic university town. Because the marathon start is combined with that of the much larger half marathon the first few k's can be crowded. After 10k the half marathon runners return to Leiden and the 700+ marathon runners are on their own. The course leads through a pretty quiet and very flat countryside. The disadvantage of such a course is that it gives free range to the wind. Unfortunately this year there was quite a strong wind, which made it difficult to run a fast time. In most of the handful ofvillages we passed through only a handful of of inhabitants had come out to cheer us on, but in Zoeterwoude (10k) and Oud Ade (32k) there was something of a carnival atmosphere. Even with the new course the best part of the Leiden marathon is still the familiar last kilometer through the city centre. Great crowd support, lots of music and the town itself and its canals provide a wonderful setting. Maybe because the number of participants had risen, organisation was not as impeccable as in previous years (for instance many of the toilets were full long before the start), but over all still good. A real improvement would be to arrange for more differentiation in the starting corrals, so that the flow of runners is spread more evenly. Nevertheless, a great, friendly marathon for those who want to get to know the Netherlands. (especially if there isn't so much wind on race day) | |
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A. G. from The Hague, NL
(5/16/2011)
 "Too crowded first loop" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Leiden Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This is the second time I have run this marathon. Although it is a pleasant two-loop course with adequate water points and sufficient support, the first 21kms are far too congested. I'm not sure I would run the event again. The congestion behind my frustration is caused by a combination of four things: the tight roads and lanes; starting the marathon (500 people?) and half-marathon (5,000?) together; allowing very slow business runners to start at the front of the pack, and; using pace-makers for the full and half marathons - even with doubles fr the same pace! (e.g, 2hour group for the half and 4hours for the full). The result is that the first 20kms or so make it impossible to gain any pace and one instead has to adopt the pace of the crowd ahead. While this is otherwise a great little event, with the Leiden community doing a great job of support and cheering, the frustrating first loop is a deterrent to experienced marathon runners. I believe it could be easily resolved with staggered timings, maybe letting the marathoners start 15 or 30 mins ahead of the half-marathon. It could also be helped by putting the business runners at the back of the pack. Another idea is to use time corrals. I wanted to be in the mid section of starters but, after 5-10mins of pushing through hordes of people, gave up the effort. Finally, the number of pacing groups could easily be reduced, so minimizing the number of packs on the tight roads. So, a plea to the organizers- please, please organize some better 'runner traffic management' for 2012 and make this event as good as the town and people of Leiden deserve. And make sure the publicity for next year's race reassures runners of an improved starting system. You're doing an injustice to a potentially great mid-size race. | |
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T. Phillips from Den Haag, Netherlands
(5/18/2009)
 "Rookie Half" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Leiden Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first half-marathon, ever. I found the organization to be very efficient and friendly. When I had a small problem, one of the staff personally walked me to the right person and solved it quickly instead of just pointing me in the general direction. Very good service. Good racer support on course too; they had water, sports drink (not too sweet), oranges, bananas, and those funny-looking sponges in the shape of a runner. Weather went from raining to humid to sunny to windy. The course was typical for Holland - flat, with just a few small inclines. It ran through town, and also around fields full of horses, cows and sheep. When you looked up from your own shoes, the scenery was very nice. Spectators were all along the course as it wound through some residential neighborhoods and footpaths. Everyone was very supportive and friendly. It's definitely worth the trip; I would recommend this race to all comers. | |
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J. L. from Rotterdam, Netherlands
(5/17/2009)
 "Great organization, scenery and spectators" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Leiden Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've run in the marathons of New York and Rotterdam. The smaller scale of this race give it a much more friendly atmosphere. I found the organization to be equal to or better than the larger races, though that may be related to the smaller number of participants. They allow you to have your own beverages delivered to the drinking post of preference; also, pacing teams, massages, showers and, best of all, free beer was available after finishing! I ran the full marathon in 2009. It consists of two loops of 21 miles that take you through the city of Leiden and the surrounding countryside. The surface on certain parts of the route was somewhat uneven, but I did not find this to be too big of a problem. I made use of the pacing team for the half marathon of 1:40, and did the second half on my own to finish at 3:12. I participated in the half-marathon in 2003, which was already quite good; I was pleasantly surprised with the progress they've made since then. | |
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Ted Stoves from Oslo, Norway
(5/19/2008)
 "Pleasant Experience. Free Beer." (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Leiden Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon experience and I ran in the 21.1 KM race. I was forced to travel alone from Oslo and was pleased on arrival to see that Leiden was a quaint, small, Dutch town with a very relaxed atmosphere and helpful locals. Registration was easy enough. I arrived at my hotel on Saturday afternoon, and got directions to the registration point, which I walked to and found no problem. The registration process took 2 minutes and the cost for a late registration was 13.5 Euros (bargain) - and I also invested in a nice fluorescent yellow t-shirt for 15 Euros (not bad!). The morning of the run we had clear blue skies and the routes to the start point were clearly marked. After the usual warm-up and stretching, a crowd of approximately 2500 (my estimation) gathered on the start line in eager anticipation of the starting gun, only for the host/mic controller/whatever to go on and on and on with his starting speech, which resulted in the start being delayed by 10 minutes. When he finally shut up and fired his gun I had gone completely cold and needed the first couple of KMs to warm up again. The route itself was diverse and interesting, running initially through the town before heading out alongside lush green pastures, suburban housing estates, back to the fields and through small villages. There was lots of support on the streets and the Dutch really are hospitable people. I saw several runners using the toilets of spectators' houses, which was a very nice gesture. There were water stops every 5 KMs and kids handing out sponges at various points. I was happy to see the end line as my legs were like lead, but I managed to secure a personal best 2:04. No world record, but a personal achievement. Crossing the finishing line, I was awarded a smart medal, a banana and a bottle of sugary water. Then for the big surprise... a beer stall giving away free Amstel! Now I LOVE beer, but couldn't bring myself to necking a few of these, having just nearly retched my guts from over exertion on the run. Full respect to those who did.... All in all a nice half marathon experience, well organised and picturesque. My only gripe was the start delay but everything else was spot on. | |
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EEyin Rankin from Haarlem, Noord Holland
(6/12/2007)
"Pity Nobody Noticed I Was In The Wrong Event" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Leiden Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 My flight was uneventful and I took a train to Leiden, arriving 2 hours before the marathon. Went to get my number and although I'd registered, my number was unavailable, and after being passed to 6 people, I eventually got a replacement number. I've done this event once 4 years ago and it was 2 loops of a 1/2 marathon course. Lined up with thousands of runners - 10KM, 1/2 marathon and marathon - and the gun went off at noon, as planned. Very congested and after 5KMs of overtaking literally hundreds of runners, it struck me that I hadn't seen any people wearing a blue number like I had. I'd reached 5KMs, but saw KM markers indicating more than one loop, so I carried on regardless. (I was slightly confused with extra markers - same style as KM markers but indicating instead the music band number). There were less than 500 blue numbers in a field of around 8,000, but surely there must of be one near me. I got to 8KM and still hadn't figured if I was in the right event, but my suspicions were soon confirmed when at 9KM, all the signs announced a countdown to the final kilometer: 500 meters, 200, 100, and at 49 minutes (slow for 10KM but fine at marathon pace), I ran through the finish into the very crowded finish funnel. I spoke to an official who told me the marathon and 1/2 started 10 minutes after the 10KM race, so I pushed my way to the end of the very, very long funnel and eventually started chasing my original event. I reckoned I was about 50 minutes behind the Marathon and I figured on doing the same route again and be back on track at 21KM hopefully meeting up with some of the back markers. Ran completely on my own confusing the officials who hurriedly closed the temporary open roads, manned water stations and bands who started playing as I approached. Spectators clapped bemused, whether I was full marathon or half, first runner, last runner or lost. I had now been directed off the original 10KM course and was actually running the 21-42 KM section. I realized, I wasn't going to be going back to the 21KM marker and was ahead of the field instead of chasing. I soon got fed up explaining I was last and at the 32KM marker, which was not near the city center, I decided to head for the start/finish and maybe accept a half marathon place. I was some 5-6 KMs from the start/finish finish and jogged back but later saw the marathon runners at 23KM. I could have joined them but since I'd started 10 minutes earlier, I ran a totally different route and decided to call it a bogey. I walked 2KM back along the course and clapped the weary runners passing by, including the 4-hour pacers. Went to the baggage area got my stuff and headed home. This was to be my 40th marathon, but my first DNF.... On the bright side, my 40th marathon can now coincide with my Nice Ironman in 2 weeks. On looking at the website, it clearly states the 1/2 and marathon start is 12:10, so it really was my own fault. | |
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N. H. from New York
(6/21/2006)
"Hot, flat, and tough on the feet" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Leiden Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half marathon. There were many races simultaneously - 5K, 10K, half and full marathons. Despite this, it did not feel too crowded to me. A good-size race with about 6,500 total runners in all events. Well run and the cool new technology of imbedding your chip in your bib instead tying it to your shoe. You run primarily by the canals in Leiden. Very pretty, very flat course. Cons - It starts at noon and we had that rare hot day in Holland - over 80F (30C), so it was a tough day. Also most of the course is run on bricks or stone, so it's pretty tough on the feet. | |
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L. C. from Michigan, USA
(8/9/2004)
"I am disappointed." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half marathon. I am from the U.S. and ran a 1:33 time. I should have been placed in the master's age group, as I am 48 years old. They placed me in an open recreation group since I am not registered as part of their Dutch Running Federation. They took my money, let me race, but would not let me place for a prize. I found this unfair. I e-mailed them and got no satisfaction for their reason. I was disappointed, as I was excited to race in the Netherlands. I have run a marathon in both France and Germany and placed in the open and masters both and received prizes for both. I have never had this happen before. Therefore, beware if you are from a different country and are good enough to place. | |
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I. B. from Cambridge, England
(4/16/2004)
"Excellent marathon" (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Leiden Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran this one last year and it remains one of my best marathon experiences. The course is very flat and a good mix and town and countryside. Very good value too. The crowds were excellent. The marathon is two laps of the half marathon course, which means there's plenty of company for the first thirteen miles, although it can be a bit lonely on the second half, which is where the great crowds are so useful. | |
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F. F. from Denver, CO
(8/12/2003)
"Charming and flat" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Very fun race through and around an old Dutch college town. Great cheering fans as you reenter the town walls - just when you need it. Very flat except for the dike overpasses. |
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