Egmond Halve Marathon

The Egmond Halve Marathon is one of the most demanding half marathons in the Netherlands, run each January along the North Sea coast in Egmond aan Zee, North Holland. First held in the 1970s and reaching its 52nd edition in 2027, the race draws more than 18,500 runners who cover roughly the first 7 kilometers directly on the beach before climbing into the dunes of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat and finishing through the streets of the village. Winter winds off the North Sea and soft beach sand make the course far tougher than its modest elevation profile suggests, giving the Egmond Halve Marathon its reputation as one of the country's toughest halves. The race has carried several title sponsors over the years, including NN (Nationale-Nederlanden) and Samsung, while keeping its Dutch name and format unchanged: a half marathon alongside a shorter kwart marathon (quarter marathon), a family run, and kids' runs held the same morning. The 2027 edition starts on Boulevard Noord in Egmond aan Zee on Sunday, January 10, and runners must be at least 18 years old and finish within 3 hours. Individual half marathon entries for 2027 sold out within days of registration opening in July 2026, reflecting the event's status as the traditional season-opener for Dutch distance runners. A waitlist for the half marathon and open entry into the quarter marathon remain available for anyone hoping to join.