Rotterdam Marathon

“Thanks to your support, I was truly able to finish the marathon with a smile.”

This runner ran the 2025 NN Marathon Rotterdam for the fourth time. Water and sports drink every 5 km, the crowds, and the DJs and cheer zones gave them a real lift, and they crossed the Coolsingel finish with a smile.

Quoted from the original · translated

“The last few kilometres were the hardest, but at the same time they were the most beautiful part.”

The runner finished the 2025 NN Marathon Rotterdam in about 3 hours 13 minutes. They slowed down because of the high temperature and humidity and leg cramps after 28 km, but ran to the finish amid the atmosphere created by the crowds filling the roads, as well as the bands, DJs, and choirs.

Quoted from the original · translated

“The enthusiastic spectators and my regained determination helped me get through the final 1km safely.”

This runner finished the 2025 NN Marathon Rotterdam in 4 hours 54 minutes 3 seconds. Leg cramps cost them their pace after 21 km, but with support from their guide Sasha, fellow runners and the crowds, they ran together from 35 km all the way to the finish.

Quoted from the original · translated

“I finished in 2:47:07, my second fastest marathon performance.”

Despite a less-than-ideal training block, this runner finished in 2 hours 47 minutes 7 seconds. They held a 3:55/km pace through 35 km, then slowed facing a headwind alone over the final 7 km. The Erasmus Bridge, the long straightaways, a video of family cheering at 34 km mark and the loud crowds stood out; the early congestion and only one gel station, at 35 km, did not.

“I did it. I became a marathon runner.”

Landing an entry sooner than expected, this runner took on their first marathon, but wind and heat dragged their pace down after 21 km. They grinded through the final 2 km, and with family and crowds cheering, finished in about 4 hours 53 minutes, capturing the thrill of a first marathon.

Quoted from the original · translated

“I pulled the plug at the 35km mark of the Rotterdam Marathon 2025.”

This runner's prep was derailed by an injury and a cold. After 30 km they felt signs of overheating, so they stopped at 35 km rather than repeat the medical scare from a previous race.

“I can't believe it. I did it!”

This runner trained a long time for their first marathon in Rotterdam, and despite pain in the second half, pacer and the cheering crowds carried them to a 3 hours 37 minutes 57 seconds finish.

Quoted from the original · translated

“The first 10km passed quickly with great vibes from the big crowds and lots of music pushing me along.”

This runner ran 4 hours 08 minutes 47 seconds in their first marathon. The crowds and music made the early miles easy, but their hamstrings tightened after 35 km; they never stopped and pushed through to the finish.

“It is a pancake flat course, fit for PRs and WRs.”

This runner set a PR in the 3:20s. They went to the wrong start wave and fought congestion early, and struggled after 35 km, but downtown crowds and their brother's pace support got them to the finish.

“I hung in there and ran 3:10.”

This runner started out comfortably, but latching onto a fast pacer group pushed them quicker than planned. It got hard after 23 miles, but they still finished about 5 minutes faster than their last two marathons.