What I Didn't Like About The Amsterdam Marathon
Running the Amsterdam Marathon was an experience I won’t forget anytime soon, though not entirely for the right reasons. These are my highs and lows.
Completing my 14th marathon in just 2.5 years has been a journey of highs and lows, and the Amsterdam Marathon was no exception. While there were great moments, some parts of the experience fell short, with certain challenges that took away from the excitement of the race.
The Ups and Downs: Amsterdam Edition
Here are the key frustrations I faced along the course - but don’t worry - there is a happy ending:
Busy and Narrow Course: As runners find there pace, most marathons “thin out” quickly after the start. Not in Amsterdam though. At several points, the course became incredibly narrow and overcrowded. Navigating through this felt more like an obstacle course than a marathon, which was especially frustrating given that these spots were clustered in some of the most scenic areas – spots I would have loved to enjoy without the crowd crush.
The Water Route: Known to be a tough stretch, the part of the course that went down the water and then back up felt never-ending. With strong winds (despite the above seasonal temperatures) and narrow pathways, this section lived up to its reputation. The course may be “flat and fast”, but the wind gusts along the water made it difficult to keep momentum, especially as fatigue starts to set in. Despite the “flat and fast” marketing, this route can be brutal for runners.
Spectators: Amsterdam has passionate spectators, but this time, some seemed unaware of their impact on the runners. Standing right by the course edge, several people were smoking cigarettes and even cigars – not what you want when you’re already struggling for oxygen in the high humidity. It’s one thing to cheer on runners; it’s another to hinder them. The Dutch are notoriously direct, and one spectator commented (as I took a walk break near the 30k mark), “it’ll be over faster if you start running”. Ouch. Maybe she’ll join next year.
Pedestrians and Cyclists Crossing: Despite well-placed crossing sections, pedestrians and cyclists constantly cut across the course, often in groups. I saw runners having to dodge these unexpected obstacles, with some even cramping up from the sudden movements. It was disappointing and potentially dangerous – especially with cyclists involved.
Finish Area Congestion: The final straw was the crowded finish area. Exiting the stadium should have been a breeze, but it was packed with people, and there was hardly any clear space for runners to recuperate. One woman even tried to push through on a bike, leaving me to wonder if my post mentioning ganging up on cyclists should have been more serious after all…
A, B, through Z goals
Despite these frustrations, finishing any race is still an achievement. One thing I've learned about running is the importance of setting different goals – one for if everything goes according to plan, a backup goal if things aren’t running as smoothly, and, finally, the third goal: just make it to the finish line.
No matter how hard you trained or well prepared you think you may be, making it to the finish is never guaranteed. Getting a DNF (Did Not Finish) is a real thing, and several participants leave endurance events by ambulance. For this race, that third goal became my focus by the 10K mark, as jet lag and medical issues took me by surprise.
What I love most about running, though, is that the distance is the same for everyone, whether you’re an elite or a first-timer. The medal at the end? It’s identical, regardless of how fast you got there. You don’t get extra points for speed; it’s about competing alongside others while racing only against yourself.
You’re never going to win anyway
Let’s face it: unless you’re an elite runner, you’re never going to win the marathon. Finishing is the only thing that matters.
Returning to the Olympic stadium and crossing that finish line after what has been the hardest training cycle yet made every step worth it, and I’m beyond grateful for my trainers and friends who supported me in getting here.
Thanks for the memories, Amsterdam, and for reminding me why Canada now feels like home. Cheers to whatever the next race brings! 🏅
