Leiden Marathon

The Leiden Marathon is a marathon for every runner. Our slogan is “It’s All About You” with a very valid reason. Professionals and amateurs alike, we are here for you! The organisation behind the Leiden Marathon is already busy preparing for the next edition of this wonderful running event in Leiden. The tagline ‘it’s all about you’ is very appropriate, because the distances participants can run are 2 kilometres (kids), 5, 10, 21.1 and 42.2 kilometres. And of course, there is the business run.

Since 1991 The Leiden Marathon was started by the Leiden Road Runners Club, the first members of which gained their first experience of a marathon in New York. When they returned, they decided to organize their own marathon. The Leideners were so impressed by the atmosphere and organization that they took New York as an example. The first team of 48 runners who went to New York came from 3M Netherlands, and was therefore known as the 3M Marathon Team. The Leiden Road Runners Club was set up as an independent club after the New York trip. The Leiden Road Runners then presented a plan for a local marathon to the management board of 3M. The plan was approved, and 3M sponsored the event for the next 10 years. When – according to the headline in the Leidsch Dagblad – the inhabitants of the city of Leiden and surrounding municipalities ‘embraced’ the very first Leiden Marathon (16 June 1991), it was clear that a wonderful sporting event had been born, which would grow to become a mature marathon.