Practical info

For the age limits, the age on the day of the event applies.

• NN Marathon Rotterdam: 20 years
• AA Drink 1/4 Marathon Rotterdam: 14 years
• AD City Run Rotterdam: 12 years
• NN Kids Run 2,5 km: 10-15 years
• NN Kids Run 1 km: 7-12 years

There will be an award ceremony for every distance of the NN Marathon Rotterdam, from M35 and higher. 

During the NN Marathon Rotterdam a separate competition is organised for Dutch companies; the TBI Business Runs! Constituting the TBI Business Relay Marathon and the TBI Business Duo Marathon.

NN Marathon Rotterdam

The age category you are allocated to for the marathon will be determined by your age on the day of the event.

Just as in previous years, there are monetary prizes for the first three men and women of each age category.

Other distances
There are no age categories for the AD Mini Marathon and the AA Drink 1/4 Marathon Rotterdam. These runs are only subdivided into men and women. Only first prizes are awarded for these distances.

The NN Marathon Rotterdam 2019 good cause is LINDA.foundation. Click here to read more about this charity. 

The Marathon Church Service is held on the eve of NN Marathon Rotterdam. It is intended for both the runners and their supporters. Inspired by similar services in Berlin, London and New York, in 2006 it was also introduced in Rotterdam.

Admission to this friendly, accessible church service is free, and it lasts approximately one hour. The attendees join each other in prayer and sing a number of engaging songs, following the lead of a swinging gospel choir. The ‘sermon’ reflects on tomorrow’s big run. During the service, the attendees are asked to use both the Bible and the Marathon as mirrors for their own lives.

After the service, attendees also have an opportunity to meet and talk over coffee, tea or soft drinks. It’s a wonderful occasion to get to know one another and exchange expectations and running experiences. In other words, for truly comprehensive preparations, this service is not to be missed!

Click here for the course maps.

Saturday April 4th, 2020

• NN Kids Runs
• AD City Run Rotterdam

Sunday April 5th, 2020

• NN Marathon Rotterdam
• AA Drink 1/4 Marathon Rotterdam
• TBI Business Runs

You will experience the marathon weekend as being one big party. Click here for a throwback of this fantastic marathon. After the event, you'll receive a digital magazine to review the marathon weekend. In this magazine you can find an epilogue of our managing director, our aftermovie, an atmosphere report and many, many pictures!

There are no shower facilities in the marathon weekend.

The entry for the NN Marathon Rotterdam 2020 opens this fall.

Each finisher can download a free personal finish certificate on their personal result page.

The finish is in front of the Stadhuis (town hall) on Coolsingel. After passing the finish line, you will be asked to carry on running to ensure that the stream of runners can flow smoothly. So do follow the organiser’s instructions strictly at the finish.

Depending on the temperature, at the care area after finish you will receive a plastic sheet, your medal and further care. There are tents in which you can obtain water, AA Drink Iso-Lemon, bananas and tea. The cordoned area behind the finish is only accessible for participants and organizers, and not for spectators or supporters.

Marathon-photos.com is appointed as the official photographers of the NN Rotterdam Marathon. All participants will be photographed on different places along the course and off course on the finish. So make sure your bib number is visible and smile to our camera.

Click here for the general conditions.

Lost and founds item will be collected throughout on Sunday in the first tent at the bag drop off at Schouwburgplein.

Marathon-photos.com is appointed as the official photographers of the Rotterdam Marathon. All participants will be photographed on different places along the course and off course on the finish. So make sure your bib number is visible and smile to our camera.

The 39th Marathon Sport Expo takes place on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th of April. The free exhibition forms the pulsating heart of the NN Marathon Rotterdam. As in previous years, the Marathon Sport Expo takes place in the Postillion Convention Centre WTC Rotterdam in the very heart of Rotterdam. You can also contact the race secretariat here on Sunday morning 8th April for your starting permit or to ask questions about your participation. 

Opening times
Friday, April 5: 10.00 - 20.00 hrs
Saturday, April 6: 10.00 hrs - 20.00 hrs
Sunday, April 7: 07.00 hrs - 10.00 hrs

After crossing the finish line, all participants will receive a medal as a souvenir of the event. You can also have your medal engraved with your name and finishing time. After the event, you can view your personal finish video and photos and download a certificate.

Have your medal engraved immediately after you finish! If you’d like this, tick the ‘engrave medal’ box on the registration form. On Saturday this costs € 5.00 for the AD City Run Rotterdam and the NN Kids Runs and costs € 6.50 on Sunday for the AA Drink 1/4 Marathon Rotterdam and NN Marathon Rotterdam.

If you didn’t indicate this in advance during registration, you can have your medal engraved afterwards, but it will then cost € 8.00 for the NN Marathon Rotterdam and AA Drink ¼ Marathon Rotterdam. The AD Mini Marathon and NN Kids Runs will then cost € 6.50.

There are aid stations every 5K along the route. Every aid station has water and AA Drink Iso-Lemon. Every station is signposted 200 m and 100 m in advance by means of yellow signs on the right-hand side of the road. Water is distributed via the unique drinking system Smart Drinking.

Read this information well!

Advice for the preparation and before the run:

1. If you have issues with your health, which results in high risk of heart / vascular disease, such as overweight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, earlier occurrences of heart /vascular disease, or it is prevalent in your family, or if you have injuries, we advise you to get yourself checked out by a sports medical specialist. In the Netherlands, that would be the Sport Medisch Adviesbureau (S.M.A.) or a sports policlinic. On the website www.sportzorg.nl you will find more information on check-ups, testing methods and a questionnaire (incl. A cardio vascular questionnaire) that you can fill in. After filling in the questionnaire you can determine whether it makes sense to have a cardio vascular check-up.

2. Clothing and weather:

• Above 15 degrees and especially 20 degrees you must wear light ventilating clothing. Otherwise the body can't dispel the heat causing it to build up. (do not wear cotton; it retains moisture)
• A thermal vest is best on the skin in cold weather (5 degrees and for slow runners 10 degrees). Wear a thin ventilated layer (no nylon) on top. A hat is recommended in wind and low wind chill factor.
• Tie your laces well (dubble loop) and make sure they don't become loose during the race.

Note: The slower you run the more clothing you will need (except at around 20 degrees).  The body cools down quickly when walking.  The wind chill factor is determined by the wind and humidity.  For example: When the temperature is +10°C with average wind (wind-force 5) it will feel like +4.  However, if it is 5°C with average wind, it will feel like -4°C. In Rotterdam the afternoon temperature often falls by 5 or 6°C, which means among the slower runners we often see cold runners.

3. Make a training plan. This will of course depend on the event you are taking part in.

4. Run only on well-worn shoes (never new!) and socks and keep an eye on the road surface during your training. Change from left to right while running and go off road whenever possible. Please don't wear brand new shoes and socks for the race.

5. If you have or have had high temperature (>39o) in the week preceding the event, do not run.

Advice for directly before and after the run

1. How much you drink is dependent on the weather and how much you transpire (this is very personal). Drink up to 45 minutes before the start. The stop drinking and go to the toilet. Take a bottle (ca. 300 ml) with you to the starting pen and drink all of it 5-10 minutes before the start. This way you'll avoid having to go to the toilet during the race. Feeling thirsty is never a good measure. If you are not used to drinking, only drink water (100-200 ml) every 15 minutes. Drinks containing carbohydrates are also suitable. Make sure you consume about 70 grams of carbohydrates during the entire race. Bottles with measured amounts of sports drinks (that you carry with you in your belt) can help. If the weather is cool or if you are not a fast runner, consume energy drinks rather than solid food or fruit. The latter stays too long in the stomach. Remember: the difference in your weight before and after the race of 1 kg or more is the amount of liquid you have drunk too little. Try this out when you are training.
Click here for more information about drinking, individual liquid requirements and the drinking system during the ABN AMRO Marathon Rotterdam.

2. Listen to your body! If you don't feel well, stop running. The first signs of dehydration are: goose pimples on your chest and upper arms, shivers, pressure in the head, dizziness, later muscle cramp, vomiting and dry skin. These symptoms can quickly lead to disorientation and confusion. If you have experienced dehydration and/or high temperature then there is a high probability that you will experience it again, especially in warm weather. Do not run; there is no shame in dropping out!

3. If you have calf cramps run slowly or walk, do light stretches; don't stop but drink extra! Look out for dehydration.

4. Start slowly. Check your pace, every kilometre too fast at the beginning of the race can mean the loss of minutes per kilometre at the end of the race. Run at your own pace; avoid increasing your tempo or sprinting in the final kilometres.

5. STOP if you experience chest pain, abnormal shortness of breath or dizziness.

6. Keep an eye on the road surface and other situations around you.

7. Apply Vaseline to your nipples, thighs and other areas likely to chafe.

8. You are expected to carry medical information relating to illnesses (e.g. diabetes, medicines) with you -preferably written on the reverse of your bib number. Write also the telephone number of a person who can be contacted during the race. Also write your name, address and telephone number on the reverse of your bib number.

Advice for after the run

1.Drink a lot and warm down or cool down (depending on what you call it). Drink first and then eat a light meal (bread banana etc.)

2. Also in the days that follow walk regularly and drink more also consume more carbohydrates. Give yourself enough time to recover!

3. If the weather is cold, change your clothing immediately after the race and drink thee or broth. Do not drink any alcohol or coffee.

4. Directly after the finish it is sensible to drink lots and to consume enough carbohydrates. This will help you replenish the liquids and energy lost during the race. Recommended are sports drinks with carbohydrates, lots of water (>1/2 litre) and ripe bananas.

Urgent questions just before the race

If despite preparing well and reading the medical information you still have urgent questions, on the day before a running event, relating to training, injuries, nutrition etc. Please contact your local doctor.

We wish you all the best with your preparation!

The Medical Committee Marathon Rotterdam
J.M. van Ochten, arts

View the complete NN Marathon Rotterdam program here.

Atletiekunie and IAAF race regulations apply to our event.

The registration for the NN Marathon Rotterdam 2020 opens this fall.

The results of the NN Marathon Rotterdam 2019 are now online. The gross time is the official time.

• NN Marathon Rotterdam, 5 hours and 30 minutes
• AA Drink 1/4 Marathon Rotterdam, 1 hour and 20 minutes
• AD City Run Rotterdam, 45 minutes

Participants finishing after the deadlines will no longer be included in the competition results and won't receive a medal.

The MYLAPS BibTag system will be used to register your time in all divisions of the Marathon Rotterdam. Behind your running number (Bib) there is an electronic chip (Tag) and a plastic spacer. BibTag makes it very simple to register your times; the only thing you need to do is wear your race bib correctly.

Tips to guarantee good time-keeping

• Make sure that your running number is displayed clearly on your chest. Do not cover it with a jacket or your hands when crossing the mats at the starting and finishing line. These mats pick up the signal from your BibTag. (Also be careful with operating your own stopwatch at the starting and finishing line).
• Do not fold or crease your race bib. Certainly not where the Tag is located.
• Use four pins at the corners of the bib, making sure that you do not pierce the Tag.
• Do not remove the plastic spacer.
• The BibTag uses different technology from the MYLAPS ChampionChip. This means that you cannot use your yellow or green MYLAPS ChampionChip during this event. However, you may leave your MYLAPS ChampionChip on your shoe, as this will not interfere with the BibTag system.
• The Tags do not need to be collected after the race, so you can keep the bib (with Tag) as a souvenir or simply throw it away with normal waste (plastic).

What is the official time?
The gross time is the official time. This starts as soon as the starting shot has been fired and stops as soon as you cross the finish. The net time is the time that starts as soon as you cross the mat at the starting line and stops when you cross the finish. This net time is announced as an extra service.

The MYLAPS BibTag system will be used to register your time in all divisions of the Marathon Rotterdam. Behind your running number there is an electronic chip. Make sure that your running number is displayed clearly on your chest. Do not cover your running number with a jacket or your hands when crossing the mats at the starting and finishing line. And do not operate your own stopwatch, in the vicinity of your race bib.

Toilets can be found in the changing facilities, at the start and every 2.5K along the course.

It will not be possible to warm up on the course. Follow the instructions of the organisers. It is possible though, to warm up off the course.