Half Marathon races near Wageningen

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.

Let's Go Running - N70 Trail is a monthly social trail run starting from the De Holdeurn parking lot in Berg en Dal, close to restaurant De Duivelsberg. Runners head into the N70 area for a relaxed run through nature reserves, featuring significant climbing but no set distance or elevation. The cost is €12.50, with a discount for Let's Go Running coachees. The run consists of two loops, bringing runners back past their vehicles at the halfway point. The car trunks serve as an informal aid station for refreshments. Pace groups form around 6:00 per kilometer, emphasizing a shared outing over intense competition. A few days prior, participants get route details and a GPX file via email, and a post-run gathering at a local cafe is common.

The BAX Halve Marathon van Doetinchem begins on the recently renewed athletics track in Doetinchem, featuring five race distances from 1 km up to the half marathon. Participants can select from the 21.1 km half marathon, 15 km, 7.5 km, 2.5 km, or 1 km. This variety accommodates adults, youth runners, business teams, and adapted-sport participants. The event is affiliated with the Atletiekunie and has a participant cap of 1,500. All distances follow routes through De Slangenburg, the nature reserve near Doetinchem, instead of solely using town streets. The shorter races make the event accessible for children and newer runners, while the 15 km and half marathon provide experienced runners with a longer route starting from the same athletics venue. This race marks its 41st edition and includes practical race-day facilities such as public transport access, parking, changing rooms, showers, first aid, and AEDs.

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.

The Dorpsrun Renswoude begins and ends at the parking lot of sports park de Hokhorst in Renswoude. This annual village road race offers distances for children and adults: a 1,000-meter Kidsrun, 5 km, 10.5 km, and a half marathon. The Kidsrun separates young runners into 4-9 and 10-12 age categories. The longer distances allow local runners, club runners, and visitors to choose between a shorter village race and a full 21.1 km run. The shortest route runs from De Hokhorst along Dickerijstlaantje and returns. The 5 km route incorporates De Hokhorst and Ubbeschoterweg. Now in its 40th edition, the event is an established fixture. Entries are capped at approximately 650 to 700 runners, and recent editions have sold out before race day. A substantial volunteer team manages the event, with local businesses also providing support, giving it the character of a community gathering for runners, families, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

The Beekse Herfstrun is a road running event in Beek, Montferland, Gelderland, Netherlands, held in November. It features three paved distances: 7 km, 14 km, and a half marathon, allowing participants to complete one, two, or three laps of the same course. The race begins at Uitspanning 't Peeske on Peeskesweg, located on the outskirts of Beek Montferland. The course is marked with a blue line, each lap measures 7 km, and the event has a participant limit of 500. Stichting Omloop Beek organizes the race, and podium finishers are awarded vouchers.

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 Chocomousse Trail begins in Everbeek-Beneden, a village in the Flemish Ardennes, leading participants along a route through fields, woods, and small streams. It is organized as a relaxed trail event, not a competitive mass-start race, with participants able to start within a morning window. The chocolate theme is present: early entrants receive a chocolate mousse, a goodie bag, a collector’s button, and Christmas cards. A second wave opens only if the first sells out. The event features a mascot, SCRIT, a Snow Edition, and a post-run spaghetti meal (bolognese or vegetarian options available), which must be pre-ordered and is described as “pimped by Scrit.”

The Ameland Adventure Run is a December running event held on the Dutch Wadden island of Ameland. It offers 5 km, 10 km, and half-marathon distances, alongside 1 km and 2 km races for children. The participant limit is 4,500 runners, and registration is exclusively online, meaning early entry is necessary for this island race. The course crosses dunes, forest, and beach, with the natural Wadden landscape and sea air providing the setting. Nes serves as the race center, organized by 4ameland. The event provides essential race-day amenities, including changing facilities, showers, first aid, and AED support.

RDG Night Trail guides runners through the dark forests near Rosmalen, Netherlands, offering an evening trail run with four distance options. The shortest is a 3 km Family FunRun for children aged 6 to 12, requiring at least one parent or guardian. Older participants can select 5 km, 11 km, or a half marathon. The event is limited to 500 participants, maintaining a smaller scale compared to road races. The courses are designed for running after sunset, not for achieving fast times on a flat city course. The 5 km is open to ages 12 and up, with adult supervision for those under 14. The 11 km and half marathon are for runners aged 15 and older. Triathlonvereniging RDG organizes the race with Run2Day Den Bosch. This is the event's fourth edition, which introduced the half marathon as the longest distance. Each runner receives a drink token for the post-race gathering, and participants may purchase an RDG NightTrail Buff as a memento.

Kerstloop Dronten is a Christmas-season running event in Dronten, with entries planned for up to 2,500 runners. This edition is significantly larger than the previous one, which had about 1,000 participants. A new Stichting Kerstloop Dronten has been established to support the event's growth, in collaboration with Atletiek Vereniging Flevo Delta. Organizers intend to reintroduce the half marathon and enhance the festive atmosphere on race day, featuring food trucks and additional decorations along the course and within the finish village.