Rotterdam is one of the fastest marathons in the world. Bashir Abdi set the European record here in 2021, and the flat course draws runners from across Europe every April. For 2027 the organisers change how you get in: no lottery, but first come, first served.
The time limit is also tighter than at many big city marathons: 5 hours 30 minutes, against 6:15 in Berlin, with checkpoints on the way. This page turns those facts into training decisions.
TL;DR: Pre-register for free before 3 November 2026 and be ready on 4 November, when places go first come, first served. Build through winter toward 11 April 2027. The course is flat apart from the Erasmus Bridge, which you cross twice. Carry your own gels: the course offers one gel point, at 34 km. If you expect to run close to 5:30, know the checkpoints, because the limit is strict.
How do you get in?
The rules changed for 2027.
- Pre-register for free between 20 October and 3 November 2026.
- Register from 4 November. Places are no longer drawn by lottery but go first come, first served. Have your account ready and know the time registration opens.
- The fee stays at 155 €. Rotterdam residents under 24 get 25% off.
Runners who pre-registered for 2026 but did not get a place get one-time early access this year.
What makes Rotterdam different?
- The Erasmus Bridge, twice. Right after the start you run over the bridge toward the south of the city, past Stadion Feijenoord and Ahoy, and later back over the bridge toward the centre. On a flat course, it is the stretch you will notice. Do not attack it the first time.
- The late start. The waves start from 10:00 to 10:28. That is later than Berlin or Amsterdam, which matters for breakfast and for spring sun later in the race.
- A strict time limit. 5 hours 30 minutes, with checkpoints on the way. More on that below.
When should you start training?
The race is on 11 April 2027, so the specific block runs through the winter.
- Autumn: build the base. Easy volume and strength work from now until December.
- Mid-December: start the specific block. Sixteen weeks before 11 April is the week before Christmas. Plan the holidays into the schedule instead of around it.
- The last three weeks: taper. Volume drops, intensity stays.
Have an indoor option for the key sessions, so a stormy week in February does not cost you a long run.
How do you pace Rotterdam?
Even, with one exception: the bridge.
- Ease over the Erasmus Bridge the first time. You cross it early, with fresh legs and a lot of adrenaline. Running it at goal effort instead of goal pace costs a few seconds and saves energy for later.
- Use the pacers. The pacing team runs target times from 3:00 to 5:00, with two pacers per target time, on the left and right side of the road. Joining is free.
- Expect a lift at the end. The last kilometres loop around the Kralingse Plas and pass the Cube Houses and the Markthal before the finish on the Coolsingel, where the crowds are biggest.
How do you plan your fuel?
The aid stations come every 5 km, from 5 to 40 km, with water and AA Drink-Iso, a diluted sports drink with about 8 grams of carbohydrate per 100 ml. There are bananas at 20 km, tea at 25 km and gel at 34 km only.
- Do not count on the drink for your carbohydrates. At 8 grams per 100 ml, a cup gives you only a little. Plan your energy around gels you carry yourself.
- Practise with your own gels on your long runs, at the same intervals you will use on race day.
- Practise drinking from cups. All drinks are served in cups.
Know the checkpoints if you aim for 5 hours or more
The limit is 5 hours 30 minutes, and you also have to:
- reach halfway within 2 hours 45 minutes,
- pass the Erasmus Bridge toward the centre by 14:15 at the latest,
- reach 28 km within 3 hours 40 minutes.
If your goal is between 5:00 and 5:30, these checkpoints leave little room for a slow start or a long toilet stop. Train your race pace so that it holds, and practise your fuel so you do not have to stop.
How does a coach help for a race like Rotterdam?
A good plan gets you to the start line. A coach adjusts it on the way: the week of illness in January, the long run you skipped over Christmas, the goal time that turns out too ambitious in March. For Rotterdam, a coach also helps with the decisions on this page: how to run the bridge, how to fuel with one gel point, and whether your goal is safe within the checkpoints.
On Coachbox you can tell us exactly that. Choose “Help me find a coach” when you sign up, give the Rotterdam Marathon as your goal, and we introduce you to a coach who fits. Or read how to find a running coach who fits you first.
Every fact on this page has a source
Dates, entry, fees, checkpoints and aid stations come from the organiser’s own pages, linked in the facts at the top. We checked them on the date shown there. If you spot something that no longer holds, let us know and we will update it.