Singelloop Leiden

Singelloop Leiden is a short running race around the canals encircling Leiden’s city center in the Netherlands. Organized annually since 1976 by the Leidse Politie Sportvereniging and Leidsch Dagblad, it has received support from the Leiden Marathon organization since 2022. The current course measures 6.3 kilometers, positioning it as a swift city run rather than a long-distance endeavor. The event maintains an accessible entry: competitive runners participate alongside recreational runners and individuals attempting their first race. The route commences at the Lammermarkt and proceeds counterclockwise along the canals surrounding the old center, concluding at the Molenwerf. Prior iterations of the race took place in Leiden before the current organizers assumed control, with origins tracing back to 1926 and various sporadic editions in subsequent decades. The race intentionally omits typical competitive elements: there are no official results or prize money, and the top male and female finishers are awarded only flowers. All participants receive a medal, and each year, a prominent athlete from Leiden or the vicinity initiates the race with the starting shot.