This blue line through Amsterdam is meant to lead marathon runners to a record

Organizers of the Amsterdam Marathon have painted a blue line along sections of the race route to guide top athletes along the shortest possible path. By marking the ideal racing line, particularly around difficult corners, the event aims to help runners avoid unnecessary distance and improve their finish times. This strategy, which covers roughly seven to eight kilometers of the total course, is intended to assist both international participants and elite runners in achieving new records.

Preparations were conducted in the middle of the night to minimize disruption to city traffic. According to event manager Nienke Slobbe, the blue markings are a returning feature after several years and serve as a visual guide through the streets of Amsterdam. While the paint is designed to wear away naturally within a few weeks due to traffic and weather conditions, it will remain clearly visible for the tens of thousands of participants expected to compete in Sunday's event.