The ASML Marathon Eindhoven has once again taken hold of the city this weekend.
Traditionally, the largest two-day sporting event in North Brabant takes place in the second weekend of October, and this year it once again managed to attract thousands of sports enthusiasts and spectators. With no less than 11.000 participants spread across various events, including the new and expanded Jumbo Mini Marathon, the anniversary edition once again proved its status as a leading event in the region.
The festivities began on Saturday 12 October, when the marathon was festively launched. The first day was dedicated to various shorter distances, so that there was something suitable for every participant. From families who completed the Jumbo Mini Marathon together, to the fanatic runners who tested their speed on the 5 kilometre City Run. The day had an exuberant atmosphere, with participants of all ages who headed from the start on the Parklaan towards the finish on the Vestdijk. This street, where the athletes of the full marathon would also finish on Sunday, formed the vibrant centre of the entire event.
Jumbo Mini Marathon
The Jumbo Mini Marathon was part of the Saturday programme for the first time this year. A new feature was the option to choose between two distances: 1,5 kilometres and 2,5 kilometres. The initiative to offer multiple options was enthusiastically received by the participants, especially by families who wanted to enjoy a sporty day together. The excitement among the children was clearly visible, and for many the high five from Willy the Raccoon, the mascot of Brabant Sport, was the highlight before they started their run. The entire course was filled with enthusiastic spectators along the sidelines who cheered on young and old. At the finish, the reward awaited them: a beautiful medal, specially designed for this 40th anniversary edition.
The popular City Run concluded Saturday. This 5-kilometer race, which sold out quickly, attracted thousands of runners. The route took participants through some of the most beautiful parts of Eindhoven, and the course was known for its speed. For both novice runners and experienced athletes, the City Run offered a chance to participate in the marathon weekend. While some simply enjoyed the atmosphere and the route, others managed to improve their personal best on this flat and fast course. The first young runners crossed the finish line after just 17 minutes, with enough energy left to make a final sprint. The sight of children zigzagging between the adult runners provided a beautiful spectacle for the spectators.
The ASML Marathon Eindhoven itself remains the crown jewel of the weekend. The full marathon, which is run on Sunday, is known for its fast course. The flat and wide course, which leads the runners past iconic places in the city, has ensured fast times for years. Many participants speak highly of the organization and the course, which has often resulted in personal records and even qualifications for international marathons. The finish on the Vestdijk, with the crowd standing row deep and cheering, offers the perfect conclusion to a sporting achievement.
Eindhoven has once again shown itself from its best side during this marathon weekend. The city is buzzing, not only because of the thousands of participants, but also because of the many visitors who have travelled to the city of light especially for this event. With the sun that broke through every now and then, the enthusiastic crowd and the flawless course of the event, the organisation can look back on a very successful weekend. The ASML Marathon Eindhoven remains not only a sporting highlight, but also an event that brings the community together, inspires young and old and has international allure.
The ASML Marathon Eindhoven means that many traffic measures are in place in the city and surrounding area. The largest sporting event in North Brabant not only brings thousands of runners to the city, but also extensive road closures and diversions. Both participants and spectators are therefore advised to travel by public transport as much as possible. Eindhoven Central Station is ideally located, close to the start and finish zones, and remains easily accessible throughout the weekend. However, many roads in the city will be closed, making traffic disruptions inevitable.
Hermes, the local transport company, is doing its best to limit inconvenience for travellers, but warns that delays and service cancellations on certain lines are inevitable. Extensive measures will be in place especially on Sunday 13 October, the day of the full marathon. For example, long-term closures are planned for both the set-up and dismantling of the event, especially around the start and finish locations.
The biggest traffic disruption is expected on the 20 to 25 kilometre route, where various roads around Beukenlaan, Noord Brabantlaan and Hovenring will be closed on Sunday between 10.00:14.30 and 30:XNUMX. For example, the exit to Cederlaan will be closed, and motorists will not be able to cross Noord Brabantlaan. The bus lane will also be closed there, which could cause further delays for public transport. In the southern part of Eindhoven, towards Meerhoven-Zuid, various closures will also apply, such as the XNUMXA entrance ramp towards the south.
Further along the marathon route, between 25 and 30 kilometres, important traffic arteries such as the Meerenakkerweg and the Kasteellaan will remain largely closed. Here, the construction and dismantling of care stations will take place between 06.00:15.00 and 31:2. This will cause major disruption to traffic that normally uses these roads to drive through Eindhoven. In Veldhoven, exit XNUMX from the motorway will also be closed, which means that motorists must take into account significant delays and diversions. The municipality has advised avoiding these areas if possible and using alternative routes via the NXNUMX.
The High Tech Campus, a key location on the marathon route, will be completely closed to traffic between 10.15:16.00 and XNUMX:XNUMX. The Antoon Coolenlaan and Genneperweg will also be inaccessible during these hours. In addition, the cycle path between the Genneperweg and the Boutenslaan will be closed, which will cause additional complications for cyclists in the city.
On the last kilometres of the marathon route, from 35 kilometres to the finish, extensive measures have been taken again to guarantee the safety of the runners. For example, the Boutenslaan, Alberdingk Thijmlaan and Hoogstraat will be closed between 10.00:16.30 and XNUMX:XNUMX. This means that motorists will also have to deal with considerable traffic disruption here, especially on the parallel lanes that normally allow for a flow of traffic. Furthermore, important streets in the city centre, such as the Vonderweg and Willemstraat, are closed, as well as the Emmasingel and Keizersgracht. This may cause confusion for visitors who are trying to reach the city by car.
There are also closures in place around the PSV stadium. PSV-laan and Mathildelaan will be closed between 08.45:17.00 and XNUMX:XNUMX due to the construction and dismantling of care stations, as will Glaslaan and Kastanjelaan. This may cause inconvenience to visitors to the stadium and surrounding areas. The organisation has emphasised that city centre locations such as Emmasingel will remain accessible via the bus lane from Jan Smitzlaan and P. Czn. Hooftlaan, but warns that traffic will be considerable.
All in all, the ASML Marathon Eindhoven is a wonderful sporting event that attracts many runners and visitors every year, but it also causes considerable traffic disruption. The organization asks everyone to be patient and to prepare well for the road closures and diversions. Those traveling by public transport can fortunately count on good connections to the city center, but for motorists it is important to keep a close eye on the traffic measures and plan alternative routes where possible.