Amsterdam Marathon

The history and information about the Amsterdam Marathon

________________________________________________________________________

If you are into a holiday or vacation with a difference and like endurance sports, then you will find the Amsterdam marathon just the right even for you. Here’s more information about this popular international marathon event, whose many participants also include Amsterdam university students.

The Amsterdam Marathon is by far the most testing running event in the history of Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is an extremely well-organized event and is classified in the Golden League category by the International Association of Athletics Federations, the highest level for road racing competitions.

The History of the Amsterdam Marathon

The first ING Amsterdam Marathon as we know it today happened on May 3, 1975. Since that time, the start and finish lines were at the Olympic Stadium. According to certain records, the first person who won the first Amsterdam Marathon was Joergen Jensen from Denmark who ran the distance in 2.16.51. A year later, a European champion and second at the Munich Olympic Games named Karel Lismont came to Amsterdam. She is still regarded in Belgium as the best marathon runner even born on its soil, won in a tremendously hot weather condition. Another legendary winner of the Amsterdam Marathon came to the city a year later. He actually won the Boston marathon in 1975, being able to finish first in an unbeatable 2.09.55.

The Amsterdam Marathon was relocated the year when the Olympic Stadium fell into disrepair. In 1978, there was no marathon in the area, but many of those who organized the event considered the Dam Square as the new starting and finishing area for the event. The Dam Square in fact was the finish venue for one of the city’s most memorable marathons ever – the 1980 Amsterdam Marathon. It is interesting to know that the event actually remained at the Dam Square until 1989, and later Amsterdam’s new start and finish venue became Museumplein.

With the reconstructed arena, the Amsterdam Marathon finally was brought back to its former venue – the Olympic Stadium. In that venue, another memorable event took place and it was the 1996 Amsterdam Marathon when the city saw a rise in the number of its runners, both in men and women categories. The success of the marathon continues even until now and many Amsterdammers have immortalized their names through this event.

The Amsterdam Marathon Route

The route of the Amsterdam Marathon is usually fast, free of traffic, and as flat. During the event, digital clocks and refreshments stand line the route, which typically passed through the Vondelpark, below the Rijksmuseum and finishes back inside the Olympic Stadium venue.

Six-Hour Time Limit

Just like any other sports events, the Amsterdam Marathon has its own time limit. It has been maintained that the full marathon is subject to a six-hour time limit. The participants who fail to run the scheduled distances within the time limits set for the 25 km, 30 km, 35 km, or 40 km markers, as well as those who will exceed the overall time limit will be asked by a member of the event jury to terminate their race and to board the sag wagon for safety and health purposes.

However, if despite being approached by a jury and the participants continue to run, they will be asked to do so at their own risk, as the route will be released for road traffic once the sag wagon has passed. And, it is a rule in the Amsterdam Marathon that if the participants terminate their race prior to finishing, they will not qualify for a medal.

________________________________________________________________________

Amsterdam Articles

• Amsterdam Holland - Amsterdam is a lively, vibrant, and liberal city, built on 90 islands and connected by 400 stone bridges, across 100 kilometres of canals.
• Amsterdam Netherlands - The center of the 17th century world economy, Amsterdam is also highly acclaimed for its rich heritage and tolerant character.
• Amsterdam Weather - Typically weather forecast for Amsterdam ranges from a little freezing in winter to beautiful sunny days in the summer.
• Flight to Amsterdam - There are several reputable web sites that provide online booking services for Amsterdam flights.
• Cheap Flight to Amsterdam - You will also find several well known websites providing online bookings for Amsterdam cheap flights.
• Amsterdam Airport - What sets Amsterdam Airport Schiphol apart from other European airports is that it offers a number of great attractions.
• Amsterdam Hotels - Whether it's business, passing through, or staying for a holiday, you will find an Amsterdam hotel the most convenient accommodation.
• Amsterdam Netherlands Hotel - Although more pricey, Amsterdam hotels enjoy high occupancy, so it's good to book well in advance or your arrival.
• Victoria Hotel Amsterdam - As one of the most remarkable historical and architectural Amsterdam buildings, Victoria Hotel offers luxury and name.
• Swissotel Amsterdam - Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the Swissotel offers 4-star personalized service to make your holiday in Amsterdam enjoyable.
• Cheap Amsterdam Hotel - If budget is on your mind then you will find that cheap Amsterdam hotels can provide great accommodation, often in the heart of the city.
• Cheap Hotel in Amsterdam - It's worthy to note that Amsterdam offers a wide selection of cheap hotels. These include Renaissance, Park, Ibis, and Marriott hotels.
• Amsterdam Red Light District - For five centuries, the Amsterdam's Red Light District has been servicing the personal needs and desires of locals and visitors.
• Amsterdam Red Light - A very popular place in the Netherlands, Amsterdam Red Light district embraces all the virtues and vices known to people.
• Amsterdam CoffeeShops - The primary commodity in the Amsterdam coffeeshop is cannabis. And yes, they do sell coffee, too.
• Amsterdam Live - There are many acclaimed live music and entertainment hotspots. From Paradiso and Jazz Cafe Alto, to Kashmir Lounge and Boom Chicago.
• Amsterdam Map - To get around this great city, you will need a good Amsterdam map, offered by several web sites, to help you find places of interest.
• Amsterdam Vacation - The city of Amsterdam has an instant appeal, is easy to look at, pleasant to walk around, and with a welcoming attitude towards visitors.
• Amsterdam Travel - You can get to Amsterdam by air, train, or bus. To get around the city, use bus, metro, tram, bicycle, and of course go on foot.
• University of Amsterdam - Founded in 1632, the University of Amsterdam is one of Europe's major universities, with over 20,000 students in 60 disciplinary fields.
• Amsterdam Apartments - Some of the best holiday accommodation offered in the heart of the city can be found at different Amsterdam apartments.
• Amsterdam Hostels - Hostels in Amsterdam offer good accommodation and services, often amongst the best, within walking distance to many city's attractions.
• Amsterdam Bed & Breakfast - Countless and charming Amsterdam bed and breakfast houses are located in the heart if the city, offering good accommodation.
• Amsterdam Accommodation - A number of sites will help you find the right Amsterdam accommodation deals in hotels, apartments and bed & breakfast places.
• Hostels in Amsterdam - Good accommodation can be found at hostels Cosmos, AnneMarie, Lucky Lake, as well as Stayokay Vondelpark and Amigo Hotel.
• Amsterdam Tours - Amsterdam offers a whole variety of interesting tours. Apart from the 'red light district', there are great museums, libraries, and restaurants.
• Ajax Amsterdam - The Ajax Amsterdam football club is a world famous club with a very rich history, winning the national championship 27 times.
• Amsterdam Printing - At some stage you too have received a direct mail envelope, which had Amsterdam postmark, or a return address in the Netherlands.
• Amsterdam News - New York City's original name was New Amsterdam. Accordingly, one of New York's first and leading newspapers was The Amsterdam News.
• New Amsterdam Theatre - One New York's oldest theatres was named The New Amsterdam Theatre, which opened in 1903, as Broadway's oldest theatre house.