What do you think is the toughest marathon in the Netherlands? Everyone knows the Rotterdam Marathon, it’s fast, flat, and proudly calls itself the most beautiful marathon in the Netherlands. But if you ask anyone who’s ever taken part in the Kustmarathon Zeeland, you’ll hear a different story. This one isn’t known for being easy or fast, it’s known for being the toughest, and perhaps, quietly, just as beautiful.
The Kustmarathon takes you over two former islands in the province of Zeeland, from Burgh-Haamstede to Zoutelande. Along the way, runners cross the legendary Oosterscheldekering, part of the famous Delta Works that protect the Netherlands from the sea.
Over the marathonweekend, around 10,000 participants (from elite runners to walkers and mountain bikers) take part in a wide array of events including the full marathon, trail run, ladies’ 10K, MTB tour, and walking marathon. The main marathon’s route is challenging not only because it covers more than 42 km of varied terrain (like beaches, dunes, and the Oosterscheldekering) but also due to frequent wind, changing elevations up to 30 m, and running on soft sand. The course heads southwest, which happens to be the dominant wind direction in the Netherlands.
Translation, headwind, all the way.
Oh, and the last 20 kilometers, through sand dunes and over the beach. At Day One, we have ran quite a number of challenging marathons (like Singapore, Apeldoorn, or Montevideo) but this one proved to be quite a challenge!
The kustmarathon Zeeland, for Zeeland
I ran the Kustmarathon in October 2021, together with my brother. We were born and raised in Zeeland, and had always thought the idea of running this marathon was already absurd. A marathon on its own seemed almost impossible, let alone one that ends with a stretch of wet, narrow, uneven beach.
But there we were.
It was windy, cold, and rain was in the forecast. The race starts in Burgh, just next to Haamstede, a lovely spot on the north side of the province. The first 10 kilometers took us through the polder, over flat and familiar land. Then we hit the Oosterscheldekering, 10 kilometers of long, straight, concrete road across a massive sea barrier. A place that makes you feel small, a place that tests your willpower. This was something completely different compared to hot and humid races or hilly races we have done in the past.
Then came the beach…
The tide was high, the rain was pouring, and only a narrow stretch of firmer sand remained between the soft dune sand and the sea. It was runnable, but barely. Every step took more energy than it should, and yet, it was strangely beautiful.
Then the final challenge, 10 kilometers through the dunes. Rolling terrain, steep little climbs and descents, a rhythm you never quite find. For two runners used to the flatness of the Dutch landscape, this felt like mountain running.
But we knew what was waiting for us, the village of Zoutelande. The place we’d spent so many summer days as kids. As we approached, we could see the church tower in the distance, a sight we remembered from countless days at the beach. Just before the finish, on the dyke, there’s a statue of a runner, and names of past winners are written in stone. In 2020, the COVID year, the inscription reads, ’t ging nie deur. Zeeland dialect for, It didn’t happen.
But in 2021, it did happen, and for us, it was unforgettable.
We crossed the finish line in Zoutelande hand in hand, like we always do when we finish a race together. It was emotional, exhausting, and utterly worth it.
Thinking about a comeback
Now, as I write this, I’m thinking, maybe we should do it again. It really is the toughest marathon in the Netherlands. But with the dunes, the sea, the wind, and the history, I believe the Kustmarathon gives Rotterdam a serious run for its money when it comes to beauty too. Who’s joining?
Today is Day One.
