The 50th anniversary edition of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, bringing elite racing pedigree, a lightning-fast course, and a city-wide celebration to the Dutch capital.
With flat streets, iconic landmarks, and a star-studded field headlined by Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei, this year’s race is one of the most anticipated on the European autumn marathon calendar.
Whether you’re a participant, fan, or curious first-timer, this is your comprehensive guide to race weekend.
Key Details
Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
Start Time: 9:00 a.m. local time (CEST)
Distances: Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon, 8 km
Start/Finish: Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam
Entry Limit: Approximately 35,000 runners across all events
Course Label: World Athletics Platinum Label Road Race
Course Record (Men): 2:03:39 by Tamirat Tola (2021)
Course Record (Women): 2:17:20 by Almaz Ayana (2022)
Broadcast and Live Stream
The marathon will be broadcast both locally and internationally:
In the Netherlands: NOS (TV), Eurosport 2, and livestream via tcsamsterdammarathon.nl
International Coverage:
- Discovery+ and HBO Max (Worldwide)
- Eurosport 1 (Europe)
- L’Équipe 24 (France and territories)
- SuperSport (Africa)
- Eurosport Asia (India and Southeast Asia)
- Azteca TV (Mexico and Central America)
The Course: Flat, Scenic, and Fast
Amsterdam offers one of the flattest city marathon courses in the world, ideal for personal bests and record attempts. The route showcases a balance between urban grandeur and rural serenity. Runners start and finish inside the historic Olympic Stadium and take in highlights such as the Rijksmuseum passageway, the Vondelpark, and the Amstel River.
Course Highlights
Olympic Stadium: A dramatic start and finish inside the 1928 Olympic venue, packed with spectators
Rijksmuseum Tunnel: A unique feature where runners pass under Amsterdam’s most famous art museum
Vondelpark: Amsterdam’s central park, where runners pass twice through tree-lined paths and enthusiastic crowds
Amstel River Loop: This peaceful section offers countryside views, windmills, and a chance to see runners on the other side of the water
Zuidas Business District: Known for modern high-rise architecture, this loop gives spectators multiple viewing opportunities
The entire course sits below sea level and has minimal elevation change, contributing to the race’s reputation as one of Europe’s fastest.
Weather Expectations
October in Amsterdam is unpredictable, with a mix of cool temperatures, wind, and light rain common. Race-day conditions are typically favorable for distance running, but layering and waterproof gear are advised.
Average High: 13–15°C (55–59°F)
Average Low: 8–10°C (46–50°F)
Humidity: Moderate to high
Wind: Light to moderate
Rain: Likely overcast, with possible light showers
In recent years, the race has enjoyed everything from perfect autumn sun to misty grey drizzle, so runners should prepare for all conditions.
Elite Men’s Preview
The 2025 Amsterdam Marathon men’s race is headlined by Joshua Cheptegei, the Ugandan Olympic champion who is still carving out his identity over 42.195 kilometers. With world records over 5000m and 10,000m and two Olympic gold medals, Cheptegei is one of the most decorated distance runners in history, but the marathon presents new challenges.
Cheptegei made his debut in Valencia in 2023, running 2:08:59. He improved significantly in Tokyo earlier this year, clocking 2:05:59 and finishing ninth in a deep World Marathon Major field.
He skipped the 2025 track season to focus solely on transitioning to the roads, and Amsterdam marks the third step in his marathon evolution. Whether Cheptegei can translate his track dominance into a winning marathon formula remains one of the year’s most compelling questions.
His biggest threat may come from Gabriel Geay of Tanzania, the fastest man in the field with a 2:03:00 personal best. Geay was second in both Valencia and Boston in 2022 and 2023, and earlier this year he rebounded from a rough 2024 with a win in Daegu in 2:05:20.
Ethiopian veteran Tsegaye Getachew returns to defend his title after back-to-back wins in Amsterdam in 2022 and 2024. His 2:04:49 PB came here, and while he hasn’t raced since last year’s victory, his experience on this course cannot be overlooked.
Another notable contender is Getaneh Molla, who ran 2:03:34 on debut in Dubai and has regained form with strong showings in Osaka and Lanzhou this year. Ethiopia’s Bute Gemechu is also a danger, having run 2:04:51 on debut in Dubai, a sign of serious upside.
The Kenyan charge is led by Enock Kinyamal, whose 2:06:28 win in Eindhoven and top-five in Paris show growing consistency. Meanwhile, former 5000m world champion Muktar Edris will continue his transition to the marathon in what could be a career-defining race.
Other Men to Watch
- Andualem Shiferaw (ETH), 2:04:44
- Bazezew Asmare (ETH), 2:04:57, 3rd in Amsterdam 2022
- Khalid Choukoud (NED), 2:07:37
- Phil Sesemann (GBR), 2:08:04
Elite Women’s Preview
Ethiopia has dominated the women’s race in recent years, and 2025 looks no different.
Leading the charge is Tiruye Mesfin, who has emerged as a top-tier talent since debuting in 2022. After placing second in Hamburg and fifth in Amsterdam last year, she stormed to a 2:18:35 PB in Valencia and placed fourth in Rotterdam earlier this season.
She’ll be joined by fellow Ethiopians Bosena Mulate (2:19:00), Zeineba Yimer (2:19:07), and Yebrugual Melese (2:19:36), all of whom have shown the ability to run fast in major international fields. Yimer, in particular, has a knack for consistency, having run under 2:20 in four of her six completed marathons.
The international challenge is led by Lonah Salpeter of Israel. With a personal best of 2:17:45, Salpeter is the fastest woman in the field on paper. However, her 2025 season has been rocky. After dropping out of the World Championships in Tokyo, she’ll be looking to bounce back on the roads of Amsterdam. She does bring pedigree, bronze at the 2022 Worlds and a season’s best of 2:24:03, and the experience to handle a high-caliber race.
Desi Jisa Mokonin of Bahrain is another podium threat. The 28-year-old has shown steady improvement, setting a new PB of 2:20:07 in Tokyo this year and finishing eighth in Amsterdam last fall. This could be the year she breaks onto the major podium.
Women’s Field Depth
- Gadise Mulu (ETH), 2:20:59
- Bertukan Welde (ETH), 2:20:55
- Vivian Melly (KEN), 2:22:25
- Anne Luijten (NED), 2:26:36
- Mekides Shimeles (ETH), debut
Race Weekend Overview
Expo and Bib Pickup
Location: Sporthallen Zuid
Dates: Opens Thursday, October 16
Features: Bib distribution, official merchandise, gear and nutrition vendors
The Expo runs smoothly thanks to excellent Dutch organization, with a celebratory buzz in the air from the moment it opens.
Event Schedule
- Marathon Start: Sunday, October 19 at 9:00 a.m.
- 8K Start: Sunday morning, shortly after the marathon wave
- Half Marathon: Begins early afternoon
Spectator Guide
Amsterdam is an ideal marathon for spectators. With a compact course and efficient public transport and bike infrastructure, supporters can easily catch runners multiple times throughout the race.
Top Viewing Locations:
- Olympic Stadium (start and finish)
- Rijksmuseum Tunnel (iconic backdrop)
- Vondelpark (energetic mid-race zone)
- Zuidas Business District (multiple pass-throughs)
- Amstel River (calm, scenic section)
Cyclists can follow runners on designated bike paths in the final 10 kilometers, and there are at least eight safe crossing points for on-foot spectators.
Travel, Hotels, and Getting Around
Getting There
Fly into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, just 20 minutes from the city center by train or taxi. Most runners stay in hotels near Oud-Zuid, De Pijp, or Centrum neighborhoods.
Where to Stay
- Oud-Zuid: Near Olympic Stadium and major museums
- De Pijp: Trendy, energetic, full of cafés and bars
- Centrum: Central and convenient, but busier and pricier
Getting Around
Amsterdam is built for walking, biking, and public transport. The OV-chipkaart works on trams, buses, and metro lines. For race day, bikes are often the fastest way to navigate the city for spectators.
Sightseeing and Post-Race Recovery
After the race, reward yourself with some cultural immersion. Nearby attractions include:
- Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum
- Anne Frank House
- Canal boat tours
- Jordaan neighborhood and De Hallen food hall
- Heineken Experience
Recovery strolls along the canals are a favorite among finishers, as are post-race meals in local bistros. For the bold, local specialties like bitterballen or herring sandwiches offer a true Dutch culinary experience.
