Top athletes look ahead to the anniversary edition of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon

At this morning’s press conference at Move Amsterdam, overlooking the Olympic Stadium, athletes and organizers looked ahead to the anniversary edition of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. Excitement is building for Sunday, when thousands of runners will set off from the Olympic Stadium. Among the men, top favorites Joshua Cheptegei and Gabriel Geay shared their ambitions, while Bertukan Welde and Bosena Mulatie are aiming for victory in the women’s race. Dutch athletes Khalid Choukoud and Anne Luijten hope to claim the national title on the familiar Amsterdam course.

Training is complete, and the weather forecast promises fast times. Athlete manager Daan van den Berg of Global Sports Communication, representing event organizer Le Champion, said: “Early in the morning, temperatures will range between six and ten degrees Celsius with a moderate southeast wind (force 3). Runners will face a slight headwind during the first 19 kilometers, but can then benefit from a tailwind toward the finish. In Amsterdam, the second half is often faster than the first.”

Fast women
At Move Amsterdam the women were first to take the stage. Ethiopia’s Bertukan Welde (PB 2:20:55) left no doubt: “My plan is to win. My training has gone better than ever.” Fellow Ethiopian Bosena Mulatie added: “I’m hoping for a personal best faster than my 2:19:00. Running brings me so much joy.” Other contenders include Tiruye Mesfin (PB 2:18:35), Zeineba Yimer (PB 2:19:07) and Yebrugual Melese (PB 2:19:36). If the women work together effectively, an attack on the course record (2:16:52, Yalemzerf Yehualaw, 2024) is within reach.


Olympic champion
Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda will make his marathon debut in Amsterdam. The 28-year-old world record holder over 5000 and 10,000 meters won gold at the Paris Games last year. Now he is making the transition from track to road: “My preparation has gone well, and I hope everything comes together. The course is flat, with few turns and a fantastic crowd. I’m looking forward to a great race.” Cheptegei’s ambitions are clear: “I want to win Olympic medals and major marathons like London and Chicago. It would be amazing to win my first marathon in Amsterdam.”

Gabriel Geay, who ran an impressive 2:03 in Valencia in 2022, is also aiming for a top finish. The Tanzanian runs his own training camp, Malunga, where he inspires and mentors young athletes. His personal best ranks as the ninth-fastest marathon time ever. Recently, he dropped out of the Berlin Marathon after 25 kilometers but has since bounced back strongly: “After Berlin, I recovered quickly. Will I run faster than 2:03? I’ll find out once the race begins.”

All eyes will also be on two-time winner Tsegaye Getachew (PB 2:04:49) from Ethiopia, who returns to Amsterdam to defend his title. These world-class athletes are expected to set the pace in the chase for the course record of 2:03:39, set by Tamirat Tola in 2021.


Dutch contenders
At 39, Khalid Choukoud remains a fixture at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. On the fast Amsterdam course, he has claimed the national title three times (2016, 2021, 2022) and twice achieved a personal best. This year, he aims to improve on his best time of 2:07:37 (Valencia, 2023). “It’s always special to run here. Two years ago, I clocked 2:08:36, but what it will be this time is hard to say.” Stan Niesten (PB 2:10:10) returns after his fall in Rotterdam and will compete for a podium spot at the Dutch Championships: “The preparation wasn’t flawless, but I’m fit enough to start.”

In the women’s field, reigning Dutch champion Anne Luijten leads the way. After her strong performance at the World Championships in Tokyo (17th place), she’s eager to return to Amsterdam to defend her national title: “I can either sit on the couch and watch someone else take it, or get into the race myself. I’m ready.” Rising star Mikky Keetels looks forward to a new experience: “I enjoy every part of running. I’m focusing on what I can control and just plan to enjoy the race.”

Live on TV
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, will be broadcast live on Sunday from 8:50 hours on NOS and Eurosport, and televised internationally in more than 190 countries. The starting gun for the elite race will sound at 9:00 hours.