We have to move forward…

What should have been a wonderful sporting weekend was deeply and abruptly overshadowed by the tragic news of the passing of a young participant during the half marathon. Our thoughts remain with her family, friends, and everyone affected by this loss. It is something that is still difficult to put into words.

We are aware that the 35th edition will forever be linked to what happened and that it will shape the memory of this weekend. At the same time, we also feel gratitude and strength for the way participants, volunteers, and the public supported and carried each other through a very difficult situation.

We understand that, as difficult as it is, we must continue. That is why we also look back on everything that took place before the tragic incident. The walking event on Saturday continues to grow and attracted more than 2,500 participants this year. The runners also brought colour to the city on Saturday evening with the return of the night run. And the new start location on Koninginnelaan on Sunday gave the event a strong boost. Combined with the national anthem, sung once again by Cato de Jong, it created goosebump moments.

We have seen how much energy and involvement there is among participants, volunteers, and the public. This gives us the strength to carefully work towards the 36th edition of the Leiden Marathon, on 8 and 9 May 2027. Please keep an eye on this website in the coming months for more information.

The organization of the Leiden Marathon consists of a board and a large group of volunteers supported by the marathon agency. The board is thinking about the future and is leading a large group of rayon heads, coordinators, careers, starting and finishing groups, and the staff in issuing starting numbers, etc. The marathon agency is the driving force behind the Leiden Marathon and is engaged in collecting and sponsorship, purchase of medals, employee clothes, promotion teams and directing trainees and graduates.

And of course they support the board. The board and marathon agency are busy organizing the Leiden Marathon throughout the year. Most volunteers are active in the last month before the marathon day. The Leiden Marathon is organized by a group of more than 1,100 employees (most of them are volunteerd), each of which is an indispensable link between the Leiden Marathon and the Race.