Half Marathon races near Kaatsheuvel

The Leersumse Veld Trail begins near Molecaten Park Landgoed Ginkelduin in Leersum, Netherlands, and takes place on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug during autumn. It is a trail race offering 11 km and 21 km distances, though the shorter option has been noted to be closer to 12 km. Both distances commence and conclude at the same point, with the race confined to natural landscapes managed by Staatsbosbeheer and Recreatiepark De Ginkel Duin. The initial loop guides all participants through the Leersumse Veld, incorporating narrow trails, sandy sections, woodland paths, and sufficient elevation changes to distinguish it from a simple flat run. The shorter course features aid stations around the 7 km and 11 km marks before returning via sandy terrain to the finish. The longer course includes a second loop extending towards the Amerongse Bossen. Course designer Chris van Beem, who frequently runs between De Ginkel and the Leersumse Veld, ranks this route among his personal favorites.

The ASML Marathon Eindhoven takes place over two days on the second weekend of October. It stands as North Brabant's largest two-day sports event, featuring a full marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon, City Run, Kids Run, Urban Walk, and Your Marathon Challenge. The half marathon attracts the most runners, and the main race accommodates up to 15,000 participants. The course is flat and wide, facilitating fast times, with a finish in the city center. Supporters line the route, and the event welcomes club runners, charity participants, families, and newcomers. A local tradition involves a connection with KWF's Run Against Cancer, allowing participants to fundraise for guaranteed entry spots when standard registration closes.

The Dordtse Biesbosch Trailrun begins and ends at the organizer's grounds on Schenkeldijk in Dordrecht, South Holland. This trail race crosses the Nieuwe Dordtse Biesbosch, offering distance options from short Family Runs to a half marathon. Participants can select 3 km or 5 km Family Run courses, a standard 5 km, 10 km, 10 English Miles, or a 21.1 km half marathon, catering to children, novice runners, and those seeking a longer off-road challenge. The courses feature narrow paved paths, unpaved tracks, sandy stretches, and dikes, leading through the Nieuwe Dordtse Biesbosch, the floodplains beside the Nieuwe Merwede, and the Elzenbos. The trail surface may present puddles, streams, branches, and tree trunks, making the race a test of adaptability to varied terrain rather than a pursuit of speed on a smooth road. The start-finish area provides baggage drop-off and changing facilities. The event maintains a relaxed outdoor atmosphere with campfires, marshmallow roasting for children post-race, and refreshments including coffee, tea, soft drinks, satay, and beer.

Beemdenjogging begins and ends at Kapelstraat 1 in Zoersel, sending runners into the Zoerselbos for a recreational nature run. Online registration remains open until late October, offering lower prices for pre-registration and a higher fee for same-day sign-ups. The facilities are functional: parking and bicycle storage are available at the start, with additional parking nearby in Zoersel, along with free sports bag storage, changing rooms, and showers. The course consists mainly of unpaved roads, guiding participants through forest paths and quieter areas within and surrounding the Zoerselbos. The 14 km and 21 km routes feature aid stations, but participants must provide their own cup or bottle as disposable cups are not provided; reusable cups are available for purchase. All finishers receive a complimentary pancake post-race, and event photos will be published on the website, with participants able to inform photographers if they prefer not to be photographed.

The Alphense Bergen Trail begins in Alphen, North Brabant, leading runners into the Alphense Bergen, a woodland region situated between Alphen and Chaam. This trail race offers multiple distances, ranging from approximately 9 km to 24 km, allowing participants to select a brief off-road run or a more extended trail challenge. The course crosses the nature reserve surrounding the Het Zand fen, utilizing woodland paths, heathland, single tracks, and numerous small inclines. The terrain is noted as demanding and diverse, with a course that continually shifts. Experienced trail runners will find a concise yet vigorous race, while road runners new to trail running can opt for a shorter distance to still experience the woods and heath.

The JP Balki Event is a charity running race in Heeze, a village in North Brabant, starting on Boschlaan in the town center. Held in April, it includes timed races from short distances to a half marathon. Distances listed include 3 km, 7 km, 10 or 11 km, 14 km, and 21 km. The race honors Jean-Paul Balkestein, who passed away from cardiac arrest while jogging at 32. The event carries a personal local story alongside its sporting aspect. The routes follow roads and paths around Kasteel Heeze, extending into nature areas managed by Brabants Landschap and Staatsbosbeheer. Participants are asked to respect these reserves, avoiding damage or pollution on the course. The event supports the Amsterdam UMC Foundation, funding experimental medical research, and Stichting Hartekind, which finances research into childhood heart defects. This dual purpose allows participants to race a set distance, join in local remembrance, and support the charities connected to the event's cause.

Vestingstad Run Woudrichem is a paved running event starting at Atletiekpark Altena in Sleeuwijk. The half marathon route extends into the historic fortress town of Woudrichem. The event offers seven distances, including short youth races of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 km, alongside 5.2 km, 10.5 km, and 21.1 km options, catering to children, recreational runners, and half-marathon participants on the same afternoon. All distances follow a single loop on roads with controlled traffic through the countryside surrounding Altena, Woudrichem, and Sleeuwijk. The half marathon has a 2.5-hour time limit, and its participants and recreational runners are grouped in the same classification. Altena Road Runners organizes the event, which is affiliated with the Atletiekunie and acts as the concluding race of the Blankers & Van Vark Altena Road Circuit. Pre-registration is mandatory, with a limit of 500 participants. Previous editions have featured close competition, such as a course record being improved by only two seconds in wet weather.

The Vestingstadrun Woudrichem is an annual road race held in and around Woudrichem, a historic fortress town in North Brabant, Netherlands. Taking place in November, it is organized by Altena Road Runners, with the start located at their club building, De Inloper, in Sleeuwijk. The event offers various distances, from youth races to a half marathon, attracting participants from children and beginners to club runners aiming for personal bests. The half marathon, which lends the event its name, spans 21.1 kilometers through parts of the Altena municipality and the historic fortified center of Woudrichem. The course also extends into the countryside surrounding Woudrichem and Sleeuwijk, offering views of the Maas river and local natural areas. Shorter races of 5 and 10 kilometers are also featured, alongside competitive age-category events. The Vestingstadrun is part of the Altena Road Circuit, which the organizers state is the oldest running circuit in the Netherlands, and this year marks its 25th edition.

TrechoTEAMrun is a three-person relay held in Vleuten, west of Utrecht. The start, finish, and exchanges are located at the DESTO Pavilion, sportpark de Vryheit. Each team collectively runs 21.1 km, a half marathon distance, with no single runner completing the entire course. The structure is straightforward: each runner completes two 3.5 km loops, returning to the pavilion for exchanges. The race takes place on Het Lint in Máximapark, a lengthy paved path designed for cycling, skating, walking, and running through the park. Teams can register as mixed, women’s, or men’s. The event prioritizes club and community enjoyment over intense competition. Hardloopvereniging Trecho organizes the race with the help of volunteers and is affiliated with the Atletiekunie. Prizes are awarded, including one for the best team name, encouraging participants to bring both competitive spirit and humor. Supporters, sponsors, volunteers, and the DESTO Pavilion contribute to the day's atmosphere. Each registration includes a donation to Stichting Vrienden van het Máximapark.

The KPN Halve Marathon Gouda takes place in Gouda on the second Sunday of November, starting on the Markt in the historic city centre. The event offers adults a half marathon or a 10 km race, and children's races for younger runners, catering to multiple distances. The precise routes will be disclosed by the organizers nearer the event. This race is designed as a local mass participation event rather than a large-scale city marathon, with a limit of 3,500 participants. Recent events have seen over two thousand runners, and late entries are not permitted, so participants must register by the standard deadline.

Marathon Kasterlee is a running event in Kasterlee, Belgium. Both the marathon and half marathon begin at 10:00 AM in mid-November. The race uses a 21 km loop; marathon participants complete the loop twice, and half marathoners complete it once. This is not a fast, city-road race, as approximately 90 percent of the course runs through forest and field paths. The route is suitable for runners who prefer soft ground, varied footing, and a rural setting that can become challenging after rain. The participant list frequently includes triathletes and duathletes using this event as a final preparation before the Hel van Kasterlee, the local winter duathlon. One sold-out edition attracted 300 marathon runners and 1,600 half marathon runners, contributing to the event's significant participation while maintaining its local identity.