Last year, the organization also wanted to run the course partly through the center because of the 50th anniversary of the marathon in the city. That was not possible at the time because of the crowds around other festivities in the city that year, such as Amsterdam 750 and Sail.
The idea was to run the route along Prins Hendrikkade, Central Station, Damrak, Dam, Rokin and Vijzelstraat. But the conclusion is that the city center is too vulnerable to realize this. “Times have changed,” says René Wit, director of the marathon. “There are now about 45,000 people running that Sunday; the number of participants has increased considerably.”
White thinks it is a shame, but is at peace with the fact that there is now clarity. “It’s nice that we now know where we stand,” he says.
This year the marathon will take place on Sunday, October 18.