Faive Running and Rotterdam Running Crew organise Rotterdam Half at Zuid

The newly announced official running race Rotterdam Half will take runners right through the port area of Rotterdam-Zuid on 20 September 2026, with the Maassilo as the start and finish point. The organisation of the Rotterdam Half is in the hands of two Rotterdam running communities: Faive Running and the Rotterdam Running Crew.

For the organisation, it was clear that the Rotterdam Half should take place on Rotterdam-Zuid. Rotterdam-Zuid is rapidly developing. The course goes right through an impressive port area and offers stunning views of the city skyline. How nice it is to experience this running. In addition, Rotterdam-Zuid offers the possibility of a fast and safe course. The surroundings of the Maassilo are ideal for an atmospheric start and finish area, as runners are used to at events organised by Faive Running and the Rotterdam Running Crew. Moreover, the Maassilo is easily accessible for everyone. Rotterdam-Zuid is a beautiful area. The setting couldn't be more Rotterdam-like,'' says Frankie Dros of Faive Running.

The Rotterdam Half will be an officially certified race. Besides recreational and corporate teams, the organisation also wants to attract competitive athletes. ''This race should become a fixture on the Dutch running calendar in the coming years,'' says Eric Brommert, who was also race manager and athlete supervisor of the Rotterdam marathon in the past. With the course on Zuid, the organisation wants to appeal to a broad target group. For many runners, a half marathon is an interesting distance. Brommert: ''A half marathon has both endurance and speed in it.''

It is also an ideal stepping stone to a full marathon for many people. Frankie Dros: ''Many people would like to get straight to the magical 42km. I get that, only: that's a long way right away.'' Brommert agrees: ''In recent years, many runners bought a starting ticket for the marathon as if it were a ticket for the cinema. Go and run a half first, I would say.''

The half is back

For years, Rotterdam was known for its fast half marathon. Four years ago it was organised for the last time, after which the half marathon silently disappeared from the city. A shame, according to the initiators of the new Rotterdam Half. ''Rotterdam was once running city number one,'' says Brommert. ''We have lost that status somewhat, but the infrastructure for top events is still there.''

The organisers are still in talks with the municipality about the maximum number of participants who can take part in this first edition of Rotterdam Half. ''We expect that there will be a lot of interest,'' says Brommert. ''The number of participants partly depends on the quality we want to offer, and safety we can guarantee.'' Interested parties can already register for the newsletter via the website www.rotterdamhalf.com. This way, the organisation will keep interested parties informed about, for example, the start of registration and other practical matters surrounding the event.

Photo Maassilo: Iris van den Broek