Amsterdam Marathon 2023

One of Europe’s largest long-distance running events is held in the continent’s most popular travel destination. Amsterdam has many attributes that attract millions of visitors annually to this canal-lined city. One of the premier events it hosts is the TCS Marathon. Thousands upon thousands of runners and spectators descend on Amsterdam every October for this well-run event. 

It’s an international marathon expo with a number of running events that showcase the city’s wonderful architecture and culture. There is a half marathon, a kid’s run, and plenty of inclusive programming that demonstrates Dutch hospitality. Runners begin and end at the magnificent Olympic Stadium, and the course winds its way through the heart of the city, passing famous sites like the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, and the Anne Frank House. It’s the perfect showcase for this city’s gorgeous architecture, green spaces, and unique canals. 

If you’re traveling to Amsterdam for the marathon, you’ll want to plan ahead because the city will be swarming with competitors and spectators. Having a place to safely store luggage can be a great way to simplify your race day. Bounce is the best luggage storage Amsterdam has available. Here’s everything you need to know: 

About The Amsterdam Marathon

Amsterdam Marathon weekend consists of five main events held throughout the city. The main event is the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, which is a standard 26.2-mile foot race that snakes its way through the city. The Mizuno Half Marathon, the TCS 8k run, the Skylanders Kids Run, and the Mini Marathon round out the event’s festivities. The TCS Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 15th, 2023, with a full schedule of races coinciding with the main marathon but held at different routes. 

The TCS Marathon starts and ends at the legendary Olympic Stadium just outside the city center. From there, the course snakes through Amsterdam’s scenic inner canal rings, where the most appealing views can be enjoyed. The course juts out along the Amstel River, providing idyllic scenery when compared to the bustling portions of the city center, where crowd-filled grandstands surround the runners. 

The running conditions are near perfect. It’s rarely sunny, and hot and humid weather is unheard of in October. Even better, the course is entirely flat. It’s an ideal place to get in a good morning city run or for a relaxing pre-race ritual. Even better, you’ll run past iconic landmarks like the Rijksmuseum, the Musseumplein, and the Amstel Hotel. 

Choosing a place to watch the race can be difficult, as there are plenty of solid options. There’s the Olympic Stadium, with its massive covered grandstands that overlook both the beginning and end of the race, but those will be the most crowded, so getting there ahead of time is highly advisable. The verdant Vondelpark is passed twice, and it’s the loveliest place to watch the race, with gorgeous fields, ponds, and gardens to enjoy when the racers pass through. 

There are plenty of other spots that make for excellent vantage points, but the best option might come down to where you’re staying or other factors. Luckily, the TCS Marathon has put together an excellent interactive map and mobile app for finding a spot to watch the race. 

It’s not unheard of for spectators to take in the event from multiple viewing points. If you’re planning on making a move, you’ll want to be as mobile as possible because you’ll end up biking or taking the metro to get to a second spot. Finding a luggage storage space to keep your belongings can go a long way in making race day an easy one. If you’re holding onto a racer’s belongings, storing them near the starting or finish line can simplify everything. Luckily, Bounce has dozens of storage spots throughout Amsterdam, and you can find and book service ahead of time to make race day even easier. 

Luggage storage in Amsterdam

Marathon weekends are some of the most fun spectacles a city can host, but the massive crowds definitely complicate the logistics for travelers. Even a well-oiled machine like Amsterdam city center can feel a little hectic during a marathon weekend. 

International travel can already be stressful, and adding thousands of other moving pieces to the equation doesn't make it any easier. Runners will also be traveling with extra luggage to accommodate running gear (planning for every type of weather is advisable for a marathon set in Amsterdam). Runners typically stay three or four nights for a race weekend, so there will be plenty to pack regardless. 

If you find yourself stuck with your bags on travel days or need a place to put your luggage for a few hours, you should strongly consider investing in a luggage storage service. It will eliminate the need for clothing drop-off before the race and also save you the stress of worrying about stolen or missing items. 

The best luggage storage option in Amsterdam is Bounce, which has dozens of reliable and secure storage spots throughout the city. Bounce’s mobile app makes it easy to find and book luggage storage on the go, with an extensive network of locations and information on each. 

There’s also the BounceShield guarantee and thorough vetting process for ensuring quality and reliability for storage locations. 24/7 support and friendly staff also offer the peace of mind you need to enjoy your trip or keep your eye on the prize if you’re running the marathon.

Things to do during the Amsterdam Marathon weekend

Amsterdam is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, with millions of travelers descending upon the Dutch Capital every year. The marathon attracts thousands of additional visitors to the city, so it will be crowded, to say the least. The city hardly shuts down to accommodate the event, but you’ll have a different experience than you might normally have. Here are a few activities for spending a few days around the marathon weekend: 

Dam Square is an iconic landmark and one of the most recognizable plazas in the world. This 13th-century public square is set in the beating heart of Amsterdam, and it’s lined with historic houses that boast the quintessential Dutch architecture. There are street food stalls, music, shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants everywhere you look. There are plenty of landmarks nearby, such as the Royal Palace. It could be crowded due to the marathon weekend, but it would be a shame to miss this amazing place. 

Amsterdam is home to one of the world’s most recognizable brands. The Heineken Brewery has been operating in Amsterdam since 1864 and has been a constant fixture in the city’s culture ever since. Not only will you find beer on tap in seemingly every bar in the country, but you can take a tour of the brewery via the Heineken Experience. It’s an extremely popular post-race event, so make sure you get a spot at the Heineken Experience as soon as you can. It’s also an ideal day-after activity if you’re staying in town an extra night, which is highly advisable for anyone who just completed a grueling marathon!

One of the quintessential activities for visiting Amsterdam is taking a boat ride through its storied canals. The 165 waterways of Amsterdam’s canal ring are considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s an impressive and historic labyrinth of gorgeous house-lined canals that are a joy to cruise through. Even better, much of the infrastructure built up for the marathon won’t impact the routes you’ll take on the water. There are hundreds of options for a boat tour, from rowdy booze cruises to romantic sunset charters. Do a little research and, most importantly, book ahead of time.

See you at the Amsterdam Marathon 2023? 

With its lovely canals, bridges, and distinctive architecture, Amsterdam is one of the most scenic cities in the world. It’s a joy to stroll through. And if you're the type of runner that can last for over 26 miles? You can see a wide swath of this gorgeous city by participating in the TCS Marathon. If you’re not quite up to running a marathon, you can still visit Amsterdam during one of its premier annual events to cheer on runners from around the world. 

If you’re taking a trip during the Marathon Amsterdam weekend, you’ll find the city to be pretty busy, to say the least. If you need to simplify your travel days, finding reliable luggage storage can go a long way. Bounce is the premier luggage storage service in Amsterdam, so you'll know who to trust.