TCS Amsterdam Marathon

Course elevation

Signature sections

• Amstel River out-and-back · km 16–28

  Long flat stretch along the Amstel — wind exposure is the only variable.

• Olympic Stadium finish · km 42–42.195

  Track finish inside the 1928 Olympic Stadium.

Race overview

Amsterdam is the flattest marathon on the European circuit — 38 m of total elevation gain, much of it under-10-metres bridge overpasses. Start and finish inside the 1928 Olympic Stadium. Mid-October weather averages 8–15 °C with high humidity (75 %); the main pacing variable is wind exposure on the Amstel River out-and-back (km 16–28). The course is suited to runners who pace evenly and fuel reliably; there is no terrain to manage.

How hard is this course?

Reference table — how the TCS Amsterdam Marathon compares to a flat sea-level course for four typical fitness levels. Computed from the route profile, mean course altitude, and typical race-week climate (12 °C / 75 % humidity). Your personal strategy uses your VDOT, per-km splits, nutrition timing, and the typical climate baseline for this static sample; paid strategies use Open-Meteo when a verified race date is inside the forecast window.

Reference nutrition

For a 70 kg runner finishing in 3:11:48 at 12 °C. Adjust to your weight and tolerance — these are ISSN-window targets, not prescriptions.

Carbs / hour

90 g

Total carbs

288 g

Fluid / hour

640 ml

Sodium / hour

500 mg

FAQ

• Is Amsterdam the flattest big marathon?

  Among major European marathons, yes — 38 m of total elevation gain, less than half of Berlin.

• What about wind?

  The Amstel River out-and-back (km 16–28) is exposed. A headwind on the way out becomes a tailwind on the way back, but holding pace through the slow section is the discipline.