I am considering running the Rotterdam marathon. I've heard it can be quite congested at the start and over the first several miles. Can anyone who has run this race share their experience with congestion at the start and during the first several miles. I would qualify for one of the preferred starts (2:45 - 3:10 section), and I will be looking to run in the low 2:40s.
I can't imagine much congestion at 6:10 pace at any big city marathon. Boston's start is about as narrow as they come for 15000+ fields but if you wanna start at 6:30 you can start at 6:30.
I ran it in 2003. I'm a midpacker and I didn't find it that congested. I think there are only 10,000 runners total and with your advance corral you should be fine.
Mr. X, I think you should choose HAMBURG, instead of Rotterdam. Hamburg's on April 23. I will most likely be there myself. I just got an invitation emailed to me.
The Rotterdam start is, yes, very crowded. Hamburg has 3 separate starting areas, with a max of 10,000 runners total, so it's far less crowded. The course at Hamburg is comparable to Rotterdam, very flat. A couple of small rollers in the first 8km, but after that, FLAT and FAST. Also there are about ONE MILLION crazy German people screaming at you the whole way. German people love to run a marathon as well as watch a marathon on the roadside, and yes they stay around for the 4-5 hour runners!
Jason
Jason, can you email me. I have a question for