NN Rotterdam Marathon Preview and Where to Watch
Abdi Nageeye returns to arguably his most successful marathon for the sixth time hunting a third successive podium finish in Rotterdam on Sunday (14 April). The Olympic silver medallist memorably set his Dutch marathon record of 2:04:56 when taking victory on the streets of Rotterdam in 2022 and followed this up last year by placing third (2:05:32) in the Dutch port city.
The 35-year-old athlete, who also finished fourth in Rotterdam in 2019, will be optimistic of a good outing once more, and last month indicated he is shape for another strong showing, by trimming three seconds from his half marathon PB to claim a convincing victory in Den Haag in 1:00:21.
Also toeing the line will be the vastly experienced Ethiopian Birhanu Legese who is set for his debut appearance in Rotterdam. An athlete of high-quality, Legese is the sixth fastest marathoner of all-time after his 2:02:48 set in Berlin five years ago, and as a two-time former winner of the Tokyo Marathon he commands enormous respect.
Legese clocked 2:04:44 to place fourth in his most recent marathon outing in Amsterdam last October and in his most recent competitive foray he finished sixth over the half marathon distance in 59:43 in Ras Al Khaimah in February to suggest he is good shape ahead of Rotterdam.
Also entered in the men’s race are Dutch duo Bjorn Koreman and Roy Hoornweg, who are both bolstered by the fact their marathon PB’s were set in previous editions of the NN Rotterdam Marathon. Koreman set his best ever time of 2:10:32 on this course in 2022, meanwhile Hoornweg posted his 42.2km best of 2:13:19 in Rotterdam 12 months ago.
The NN Running team challenge in the women’s race is led by the evergreen Selly Chepyego. The 38-year-old Kenyan, a World Half Marathon Championships bronze medallist back in 2014, is a quality performer who like a fine wine gets better with age. She posted her marathon PB of 2:20:03 when second in Barcelona last year and also placed a highly-respectable seventh in the World Championship marathon in Budapest to suggest she will be a threat on the streets of Rotterdam.
Her countrywoman Viola Kibiwott is also entered looking to build on an encouraging 2023 campaign. Formerly an accomplished track performer, who placed sixth in the London 2012 Olympics 5000m final, Kibiwott set a sizeable marathon PB of 2;22:57 for fourth in the 2023 Frankfurt Marathon and will be looking to build on that performance in Rotterdam.
Race details
Regarded as one of the world’s fastest marathon courses three marathon world records have previously tumbled in the Rotterdam race. The athletes starts their 42.2km quest at Erasmus Bridge and the stunning route passes many of the iconic Rotterdam landmarks before finishing on the bustling central boulevard of Coolsingel.
It is expected to be mainly cloudy on Sunday with weather conditions predicted to be between 9-13C.
When to Watch
The starting gun will fire on the 2024 NN Rotterdam Marathon at 10:00 (CET).
NN Rotterdam Marathon start time in Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda – 11am
NN Rotterdam Marathon start time in New York – 4am
NN Rotterdam Marathon start time in Los Angeles – 1am
NN Rotterdam Marathon start time in Tokyo – 5pm
NN Rotterdam Marathon start time in Sydney – 6pm
Where to Watch
Flo Sports is holding exclusive rights to the NN Rotterdam Marathon in the UK, Australia, US and Canada and Republic of Ireland. Watch a livestream through their website and socials. More information here.