The TT Marathon once again brought runners through Rolde and the surrounding villages on Sunday, 1 November. The full marathon started at the TT Circuit in Assen and, via Rolde, Nijlande, Amen and Hooghalen, returned to Assen. According to the organisers, a total of 3,000 runners took part in the full and half marathon combined.
For residents of Rolde, it was mainly the full marathon that was visible. The municipality of Aa en Hunze had announced in advance that runners were expected to pass through Rolde between 10.15 and 11.45 am. Around the Brink, spectators could cheer on the participants. The half marathon, new on the programme this year, followed a different 21.1-kilometre route via Deurze, Schieven and Anreep and did not pass through the centre of Rolde.
Record in the full marathon
Tom Hendrikse from Assen won the 42.195-kilometre race in 2 hours, 23 minutes and 3 seconds. In doing so, he improved the course record. According to the organisers, he was 8 minutes and 42 seconds faster than the previous record held by Ivor Feunekes.
In the women's race, Mascha Rondhuis from Leek won the marathon in 2 hours, 49 minutes and 44 seconds. The half marathon was won by Niels Grote Beverborg from Zuidlaren in 1.10.58. Angela de Jonge from Annerveenschekanaal was the fastest woman over the half distance, in 1.27.15.
Of all participants, 35 percent came from Drenthe. The marathon started at 9.30 am at the TT Circuit. The finish was in the centre of Assen.
Rolde and the first TT
That the marathon passes through Rolde has everything to do with the TT history. The first Dutch TT was held on Saturday 11 July 1925. The street circuit was 28.4 kilometres long and ran from Rolde via Borger and Schoonloo, past Grolloo and back to Rolde. Start and finish were in Rolde.
A year later, the TT moved to a new street circuit in the Assen and Hooghalen area. That circuit was used until 1954. In 1955, the shorter circuit near Assen came into use. The TT Marathon refers to that history by connecting the current TT Circuit, Rolde and the former circuit near Hooghalen in one running route.
The first TT Marathon was set up in 2025 to mark the TT's centenary. That edition was first planned for June, but was moved to November because of expected heat. In 2026, the marathon got its own place in November, separate from the TT City Run in June.
The official results for the full marathon, half marathon and Business Run are available online at Sporthive. Participants can search there by name or bib number and view their finishing time and place.
