The NN Marathon Rotherdam has been the biggest one-day sporting event in the Netherlands for many years in a row with over 35000 athletes professionals inclusive. The world’s top athletes will at the start on the bustling coolsingel,alongside thousands of other runners who will also triumph,each in their own way.The marathon weekend is a wonderful blend of top sport and festival.No other marathon in Netherlands can match the atmosphere in Rotterdam, 925,000 spectators along the course make party complete.The idea of an international marathon in Rotterdam originated in 1980. On 17 May of that year the Rotterdam Athletic Union PAC organised the national 25-kilometer championship to commemorate its 85th anniversary.The course, which was financially supported by the magazine Het Leven, went from the Nenijto-sintelbaan to Nieuwerkerk aan de Ijssel and back. In 1937 the race was considered to be the national championship.

Source: World's Marathons.