The Race
| Next Race Date | Sunday 11 April 2027 |
|---|---|
| Course type | Loop |
| Registration | Open online entry; the price rises in steps |
| Ballot opens | No ballot |
| Start | Boulevard 1945, Enschede centre, 10:00 |
| Finish | Centre of Enschede, with the finish site at the Dagmarkt |
| Total finishers | 3,229 (2026 marathon, third-party index) |
| Avg race-day temp | Not confirmed |
| Cutoff time | 5 hours 30 minutes, with gates at 35.1 km and 41 km |
| Free race-day transport | No |
| Course certification | Atletiekunie (national), remeasurement in progress |
History
The Enschede Marathon has a documented origin. At the 1946 European Championships and the athletics congress, talks about a meeting between the Netherlands and Czechoslovakia led to the addition of a marathon, with advice from the Košice organiser Ir. Bukovsky. The organiser dates the first Enschede race to 12 July 1947, with 51 starters and 33 finishers. Eero Riikonen of Finland won in 2:44:13, and Joop Overdijk was the first Dutch runner home and became national champion. Some third-party histories give a different first date, so the page attributes the date to the organiser.
World Athletics gives the race a Heritage Plaque and calls it the oldest marathon in the Netherlands and Western Europe. That is a regional claim and not one about all of Europe, and the plaque is separate from any current road-race label.
The race ran every other year at first and became annual around 1991. The 2000 edition was cancelled after the Roombeek fireworks disaster. The 2020 and 2021 public races were cancelled in the pandemic, but an elite qualifying race took place at Twenthe Airport on 18 April 2021. Eliud Kipchoge ran 2:04:30 there, and that time belongs to the airport course and not the city course.
On the city course the organiser’s history gives Stephen Kiprotich’s 2:07:20 from 2011 as the men’s record. For women it gives Maurine Chepkemoi’s 2:21:10 from 2022, though another organiser page says 2:21:08. The 2026 race, held on 12 April, was won by Alfred Barkach in 2:08:46.
The course
The marathon starts and finishes on Boulevard 1945 in the centre of Enschede. The line runs east first, out along Gronausestraat to Glanerbrug on the German border at km 5, and back, then north through the Esmarkerrondweg to Lonneker at km 10. It loops Lonneker, passing the highest point at km 11, and turns west on Horstlindelaan and Langenkampweg past the University of Twente area at km 17 to 20.
The course reaches Hengelo at km 23 on Enschedesestraat, comes back on Hengelosestraat and Auke Vleerstraat, and runs out to Twekkelo on Twekkelerweg at km 29 to 31, the furthest point from the start at 6.9 km. It returns east on Strootsweg and Auke Vleerstraat to G.J. van Heekstraat at km 35, passes H.J. van Heekpark at km 38 and enters the centre on Hengelosestraat and Marktstraat at km 39 to 40. The finish site is at the Dagmarkt.
The profile spans 51 m and has real shape for Dutch ground. The course climbs 22 m over the first 10.8 km, a gentle 0.2 per cent, to the high point of 72 m on Wallenbeekweg in Lonneker, with the steepest single kilometre, 13 m at 1.3 per cent, falling away from it. It then drops 44 m over 12.4 km to 28 m at Hengelo, and climbs 26 m over 8.1 km from km 33 back up to the centre. No total ascent is published.
Kilometre by kilometre
Km 0 to 10: east and back, then north. The start is on Boulevard 1945 at 10:00. The course runs east along Gronausestraat to the turn at Glanerbrug at km 5, drops 14 m on the way out and climbs it back, and returns toward the centre. From km 7 it heads north along Noord Esmarkerrondweg, climbing steadily to Stokhorstlaan at km 10. Early congestion is likely in any central start, and whether the half marathon shares these streets in 2027 is not stated, so check the programme when it is published.
Km 10 to 20: Lonneker and the campus. The high point of the day, 72 m, is at about km 11 on Wallenbeekweg in Lonneker, and the next 13 km are mostly downhill. Lonneker Molenweg at km 13 and Stegenkampweg at km 15 lead to Horstlindelaan at km 17 to 18 and Langenkampweg at km 19, close to the University of Twente. The organiser names the campus, the F35 cycle highway and H.J. van Heekpark as parts of the course.
Km 20 to 33: Hengelo and Twekkelo. The line crosses into Hengelo at km 23 and runs the long out-and-back to Twekkelo, 6.9 km from the start at km 29. The organiser asks spectators to gather around Twekkelo for the late stages, where encouragement counts most. This is the low point of the course, 21 m, and the quietest stretch.
Km 33 to 42.195: back to the centre. The climb from km 33 to the centre is 26 m over 8 km, gentle but arriving when the legs are tired. G.J. van Heekstraat at km 35, Goolkatenweg at km 37 and H.J. van Heekpark at km 38 lead to Hengelosestraat at km 39, Marktstraat at km 40 and Espoortstraat at km 41. The finish site is at the Dagmarkt.
Time gates. Runners must pass 35.1 km before 15:00 and 41 km before 15:50. A runner who misses the first is asked to take the bus. A runner who misses the second is directed to Van Heekplein and not through the finish line. Course clocks stand at each 5 km, at halfway and at the finish, but a clock is not a timing mat.
Run the blue line where one is painted; the shortest legal line saves a measurable distance over 42.195 km. Personal bottles are labelled with your bib number and the station letter, so learn the station sequence before the race.
Gronausestraat to Glanerbrug on the German border, back, then north to Lonneker. A steady 22 m climb.
The 72 m high point at km 11, then a long run down past the University of Twente area.
The out-and-back to Twekkelo, the low point at 21 m. Quiet, with support asked for around Twekkelo.
A gentle 26 m climb through H.J. van Heekpark to the finish. Gates at 35.1 km (15:00) and 41 km (15:50).
Course Map
East to the German border, north through Lonneker, west to Twekkelo and home through Van Heekpark. Tap a marker for the start and finish, the number-collection venue, the landmarks and the station, and scrub the slider or press play to move the orange marker along the course with the elevation profile beneath it.
Pacers
Two pacers run for each target time, identified by flags on their backs: 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30 and 5:00. There is no 4:45 group, so do not assume 15-minute steps. Pacers may withdraw through illness or injury.
Runners must pass 35.1 km before 15:00 and 41 km before 15:50. A runner who misses the first is asked to take the bus. A runner who misses the second is directed to Van Heekplein instead of the finish.
Bottles are dropped at Connect-U on Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00, at most 24 cm high and labelled with your bib number and station letter. Cyclists may not hand over bottles, and accompanying cyclists who pass bottles can cause disqualification.
April in the east of the Netherlands is changeable. The 10:00 start is later than most, so the pen is usually less cold than at dawn, but showers and wind are both realistic on the open stretches. Start-hour temperatures are not published.
A removable layer is useful for the wait. No clothing-donation point has been confirmed, so wear something you can afford to leave behind or hand to a supporter. A cap helps in rain, and sunglasses are worth packing if the spring sun is out. Road shoes suit the course. Check the forecast the week before and again the evening before.
Entry
Entry is open through the organiser’s registration system. The full-marathon prices are €75 until 1 January 2027, €80.50 from 2 January to 14 March, €86 from 15 March to 9 April and €92 during race weekend. An early rate of €63 ended on 9 May 2026. Later prices are advertised steps, and capacity may run out first.
Entering by 14 March gives you a named bib, a wave placed by your expected time and the right to order merchandise. Later entries go into the last (orange) wave and cannot order extras. A shirt, socks and BibBits are optional. Posting a bib within the Netherlands costs €5 and must be chosen by 14 March, so runners from abroad should plan to collect in person. The medal, chip, results, a downloadable certificate and aid are included. Lockers are extra.
Dashboard changes, including transfers, are possible until 14 March. After that, distance changes are made at Connect-U during race weekend, subject to stock, and moving down does not refund the difference. Refund and deferral terms are not published.
Group entry needs at least nine participants across distances. The Club Challenge ranks the three fastest members of a club and is not a discount. KWF charity entry requires raising at least €500 before 1 March. There is no ballot.
Fast runner standards
Men under 2:30:00 and women under 2:45:00 can request an invitation by email with the subject Fast runners. It is a discretionary request process and not guaranteed entry, and it is not an age-graded system.
Official Enschede Marathon site →Race Weekend
Expo
Numbers are collected at Connect-U, Ariënsplein 1, 7511 JX Enschede. The 2027 hours are published: Saturday 10 April from 10:00 to 16:00, and Sunday 11 April from 07:30 until one hour before your distance starts. For the 10:00 marathon that means collecting by 09:00. A Runners Expo on Saturday sells gear, shoes and nutrition.
Your bib number appears in the Enschede Marathon app in the first week of April. A friend can collect your bib with a screenshot of it. Personal bottles are dropped at the same venue on Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00, so collect and drop together. Merchandise is collected at the office even if the bib is posted.
Getting to the start
The marathon starts at 10:00 on Boulevard 1945. The full Sunday programme is not yet published, so exact pen-opening times are unknown. Work back from your wave and arrive early.
Getting there. Enschede station is the main public-transport arrival. The organiser advertises extra trains from Amsterdam and Rotterdam, a Zwolle service and a train from Münster, with schedules published shortly before the race, and reduced city buses. Check 9292 for the final plan. Free parking at Diekmanstadion and the Zuiderval park-and-ride, with shuttles every 10 to 15 minutes from 07:30 to Van Heekplein, is described as the usual arrangement. The centre is closed to cars during the race.
Lockers and changing. Lockers cost €7.50 (medium, 24 by 21 by 50 cm) or €10 (large, 34 by 21 by 50 cm) and should be reserved online. Changing rooms and showers are in the Van Heekgarage beneath H.J. van Heekplein. Toilets are at the start, the finish and the course stations.
Nutrition on course
Water is offered every 2.5 km. Every 5 km there are bananas and sports drink from SportvoedingWebshop.com, and all refreshment stations have sponges. Toilets are at the start, the finish and the water points. The finish has water and sports drink. No gels are promised, so carry tested gels.
The stations sit at Gronausestraat, Stokhorstlaan 200, Stegenkampweg 65, Langekampweg 113, Institutenweg at DEMCON, Twekkelerweg 352, G.J. van Heekstraat and Espoortstraat, which is the order the course reaches them. A bottle can be at most 24 cm high and must carry your bib number and the station letter. Cups are recycled, and the organiser asks you to throw them within 100 m of the post.
| Provision | Published detail |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 2.5 km |
| Banana and sports drink | Every 5 km |
| Sponges | All refreshment stations |
| Finish | Water and sports drink |
Spectating
The organiser provides an app, covered seating and a KidsDORP at Van Heekplein, and accessible spectator space beside the guests’ tent at the start and finish. It asks supporters to gather around Twekkelo in the late stages. Cyclists may not accompany runners. The plans below are proposals, and the 2027 map is unpublished.
- Watch the start on Boulevard 1945, then stay at Van Heekplein
- Wait at the finish
- No transfers
- After the start, go to a viewing point on the University of Twente side
- Return to the centre for the finish; bus services may be reduced, and the runner may arrive first
- Choose a single viewing point at Twekkelo for the late stages, at about km 30
- Meet in the centre afterwards and plan the return route in advance
Post-race food
Sorrentino, at Stadsgravenstraat 34, serves an Italian menu with a pasta first course. Happy Italy serves pizza, pasta, salads and panini daily, according to the city’s tourism site. Van Doorn & Doorn in Roombeek is a lunch option after a museum visit. The hotel restaurants at U Parkhotel and Van der Valk are other options.
Sunday kitchen hours and prices are not confirmed. Reserve in advance and order something you can tolerate. A simple Italian plate is easier on a tired stomach than a multi-course dinner.
Where to Stay
Stay in the centre. The start and finish are on Boulevard 1945 and number collection is at Ariënsplein, so a central room cuts every walk. The organiser lists four hotels.
Boulevard 1945 and Van Heekplein
The shortest return after the finish. Expect closures and event noise.
Station and centre
Easy for train arrivals and central meals, with the IntercityHotel 0.9 km from the start. Check the route to the start.
Ariënsplein and the west centre
Close to Connect-U for collection. Check access past the barriers on race morning.
Roombeek
The museum district, quieter, with a longer approach.
University and Drienerlo side
Suits U Parkhotel and a campus visit, 4.3 km from the start, though bus diversions are a risk on race morning.
A station hotel is simplest for a rail visitor, because closures can trap a car. Include breakfast time, tax, cancellation terms and Sunday luggage storage in the comparison. Arrive on Saturday in time for the 16:00 collection and bottle drop, and stay Sunday night to avoid a tight post-race connection.
Recommended hotels
An organiser-listed hotel beside the station. The runner breakfast time and rate are not confirmed.
Rooms and apartments in the centre, a boutique alternative. It is not an official partner, and stock is unknown.
An organiser-listed hotel with a restaurant and large facilities. A transfer is needed and late checkout is unknown.
An organiser-listed hotel on the campus with a restaurant. The journey to the start needs checking, and no bus is promised.
Booking timeline
The date is confirmed, so secure an entry first and then book a flexible room. The organiser lists four hotels, but a listing is not proof of a special rate or reserved rooms. The price rises on 2 January, 15 March and 10 April, so enter early.
If you use personal bottles, plan to arrive on Saturday before 16:00 with margin for delays. Compare the final bill and not the headline rate. Confirm breakfast early enough for a 10:00 start, and check cancellation deadlines and Sunday luggage access.
See & Do
The finish is in the centre. The museums are 1.3 to 1.8 km north of the start and finish, close enough for a short taxi or a slow walk.
Rijksmuseum Twenthe
An art museum in a park setting. A seated visit suits the day after. Check whether it is closed on Mondays.
Roombeek Cultuurpark
The rebuilt cultural district, with De Museumfabriek and Tetem. Keep the walk short.
A café in the centre
A short, seated stop near Van Heekplein. A good first recovery.
After the Race
April is changeable, and Enschede sits on the German border. Münster is a regional train across it, and Zwolle, Utrecht and Amsterdam are on the Dutch rail network, between one and a half and two and a half hours away.
A flat German university city with an arcaded market street and a lake, a regional train across the border.
A moated Hanseatic town with a compact centre and a short route to the airport line.
A canal city with a flat centre and a direct route to Schiphol.
Museums with lifts, a seated cruise and a short train to the airport.