Rijksmuseum – Amsterdam Marathon 2013
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon held on 20 October 2013 and will lead marathon runners through the heart of the Rijksmuseum, the famous passage which connects Amsterdam city centre with the south of Amsterdam. This promises to be a unique experience for the many thousands of entrants from the Netherlands and other countries. It will also fulfil a long-cherished desire of the event organiser, Le Champion, to bridge the gap between sport and culture in Amsterdam.
“We have spent years working to bridge the gap between sport and culture in Amsterdam,” said Simone Richardson, director of Le Champion. “So we are delighted to have been able to achieve this in a year in which Amsterdam is celebrating several important milestones. The marathon runners will have the privilege of running through the Rijksmuseum – one of most prestigious museums in the world. We are extremely proud that the museum has agreed to collaborate with us.” The course of the marathon and the TCS 8 K run will lead runners through the famous passage of the Rijksmuseum.
“The passage that runs through the Rijksmuseum will provide a timeless setting for the most historic race in the world,” said Wim Pijbes, head director of the Rijksmuseum. The monumental building contains some of the most world famous works of art by celebrated Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Vermeer. The museum, which has recently reopened following a complete renovation, which meanwhile attracted more the half a million visitors from all over the world.
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon is exceptionally popular among marathon runners from the Netherlands and other countries. The number of entrants competing in the forthcoming 38th edition of the marathon is expected to exceed the 40,000 mark for the first time. More than 40% of the entrants come from other countries, which makes the event the largest international sporting event in the Netherlands. The fact that Amsterdam is celebrating several important milestones in 2013 will also make the marathon even more appealing as a first-time marathon. The celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Amsterdam canals, the reopening of the Rijksmuseum and the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander have attracted considerable public attention and made Amsterdam the second most popular international destination in the world in 2013.