Preview: 2025 NN Rotterdam Marathon Elite Fields
The stage is set for fireworks at the 2025 NN Rotterdam Marathon, where a stellar lineup of world-class runners will converge on one of the fastest courses in the world this Sunday, April 13. With Olympic medalists, record holders, and rising young talents primed to chase history, both the men’s and women’s races promise thrilling head-to-head battles, blistering paces, and possibly even new course records. The withdrawal of local hero and course record-holder Bashir Abdi due to injury has shaken up the men’s field, opening the door for a new champion to emerge. Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor and Timothy Kiplagat now lead the charge. On the women’s side, Ethiopian star Tiruye Mesfin heads a formidable sub-2:20 field aiming for glory on the streets of Rotterdam. Expect drama, speed, and world-class racing as the marathon world turns its eyes to the Netherlands.
The NN Rotterdam Marathon has built a reputation as one of the globe’s fastest and most exciting 42.195 km races—and this year’s elite field may be its most explosive yet. On Sunday, April 13, the 2025 edition will showcase a gripping mix of seasoned champions and hungry newcomers, all hunting victory on a course known for delivering record-breaking performances.
In the men’s race, the headline took an unexpected turn just weeks before race day: Bashir Abdi, the reigning champion and course record-holder, announced his withdrawal due to injury. Abdi, who set the Rotterdam course alight with a 2:03:36 victory in 2021 and defended his title in 2023, had been the favorite to win again. His absence reshuffles the deck and thrusts new faces into the spotlight.
Now leading the charge is Geoffrey Kamworor, the Kenyan superstar making his Rotterdam debut. A two-time New York City Marathon winner and multiple world champion over half marathon and cross-country, Kamworor arrives in red-hot form with a 2:04:23 personal best from the 2023 London Marathon. Rotterdam offers the perfect stage for Kamworor to finally crack the very top tier of marathon winners—and possibly set a new personal best on its pancake-flat course.
Timothy Kiplagat, the 2023 runner-up in Rotterdam, now becomes a major contender. He ran 2:03:50 in that race, finishing just seconds behind Abdi, and has shown he thrives in high-stakes races. Kiplagat knows this course and will look to finish the job this time. Amedework Walelegn of Ethiopia, a two-time Seoul Marathon winner and World Half Marathon bronze medalist, adds depth and speed to the front pack. Also in the mix is Kenneth Kipkemoi, the 2018 Rotterdam champion whose experience could serve him well in a race where tactics and resilience will matter more than ever.
On the women’s side, all eyes are on Tiruye Mesfin, the 22-year-old Ethiopian sensation who has quickly become a force in the marathon world. With a stunning 2:18:35 personal best and podium finishes in Valencia and Hamburg, Mesfin is poised for a major win. Her primary challenger may be compatriot Zeineba Yimer, a sub-2:20 runner who claimed victory in Barcelona and finished 4th in Berlin last year. These two could lock into a fierce duel from the early kilometers.
But this isn’t a two-woman race. Azmera Gebru, fresh off her win in Seville, brings tactical strength and a veteran’s poise. Dolshi Tesfu of Eritrea, second in Rotterdam last year, is back with unfinished business and dreams of a historic national win. Meanwhile, Aminet Ahmed, quietly building a résumé of consistent top finishes, could capitalize if the race turns tactical.
With ideal weather forecasted and deep pacing crews ready to go, the 2025 NN Rotterdam Marathon is shaping up to be one of the most compelling editions in recent memory. With Abdi out, the men’s race becomes a wide-open battle of rising stars and proven legends. On the women’s side, Mesfin could be the next name etched into Rotterdam’s fast-growing legacy. One thing is certain: the streets of Rotterdam will once again be a proving ground for greatness.
