Utrecht Marathon

Location: Utrecht
Country: Netherlands
Website: https://utrechtmarathon.com/en/
2025 Marathon Date: 18/05/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 17/05/2026
Winning Time 2025: 02:29:11
% Sub-3s: 2–5%
# Sub-3s: 50–99
Total Runners: 1k–3k

The Utrecht Marathon is a well-established spring race held in the Dutch city of Utrecht. Known for its flat terrain and friendly organisation, the Utrecht Marathon offers a solid opportunity for sub-3 aspirants looking for a quieter alternative to Amsterdam or Rotterdam.

The course takes runners on a looped route through Utrecht’s residential areas, green corridors, and along sections of canal-side roads. It avoids the narrowest parts of the historic city centre, favouring wider modern streets to reduce congestion and allow consistent pacing. The route is largely flat, with minimal turns and only gentle gradients throughout.

Held in mid-May, the Utrecht Marathon benefits from mild conditions, with morning temperatures typically between 10–15°C. While rain is possible, the early start time and cool climate are usually favourable for fast running. The roads are well-maintained and largely closed to traffic, offering a smooth and uninterrupted experience.

Crowd support is concentrated near the start and finish zones, as well as in key suburban areas. The event has a low-key but efficient atmosphere, with strong local volunteer support, clear signage, and well-stocked aid stations. The absence of overwhelming crowds allows runners to focus fully on their effort.

With around 2.5% of finishers going under three hours, the Utrecht Marathon sits comfortably in the mid-band for sub-3 percentages. The number of sub-3 athletes is modest but reliable, offering decent pacing potential without overwhelming competition. The Utrecht Marathon is a smart pick for focused runners looking for a flat European race with minimal fuss and proven PB potential.