Half Marathon races near Werkendam

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 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.

Droomtijdloop Delft is a half marathon held in Delft, covering 21.10 km on a late October night. Runners aim to achieve a "dream time." The participant limit is 1,200, making it resemble a club-organized Dutch road race more than a large city marathon. AV De Koplopers is the organizer, and the event is affiliated with Atletiekunie, the Dutch athletics federation. The start is on Rijksstraatweg in Delft, with a single distance for men and women, not multiple shorter races. Practical race-day amenities contribute to its appeal: the venue is accessible by public transport, parking is provided, and runners have access to changing rooms, showers, first aid, AED support, and a supervised cloakroom. Late entry is unavailable, consistent with the controlled field size and planned logistics. This is the thirteenth edition of the race, giving it a history beyond a single local event.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

Kangoeroeloop Prins Hendrik is a Boxing Day running and walking event in Vught, the Netherlands. The start and finish are on the athletics track of Vughtse Sportclub Prins Hendrik. It accommodates a broad field: joggers, club athletes, walkers, race walkers, families, youth runners, and adapted-sport participants. The program offers distances from 3 to 27 km, including 5 km, 7.5 km, 10 km, 15 km, a half marathon, and 27 km, with a participant limit of 3,000. The setting is a wooded area around the Prins Hendrik track. The Christmas timing shapes the day more than a typical road race. The track area is decorated with Christmas trees, and finishers can stay afterward with companions for mulled wine, sausage rolls, and other food. The event has reached its 50th edition, is affiliated with the Atletiekunie, and gives participants a yearly souvenir. One recent version was made sustainably by Cello Zorg’s Mediateam Producties in Vught, a team of young talents with an intellectual disability.