Runners hoping for a late place in the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, held on 17 and 18 October, risk overpaying for a race number that may not be valid.
On Facebook and Marktplaats, numbers sell for tens or even hundreds of euros above face value, up to €300.
This year’s regular prices are €145 for the full marathon and €43.50 for the half.
Official resale at the original price
Director René Wit says race number fraud has grown along with the event’s popularity.
Organiser Le Champion therefore launched its own resale platform, Atleta, last year, where sellers can only charge the original price.
A number resold there is cancelled at once, so two people can never buy the same one.
Wit strongly advises against buying elsewhere, as fraudsters can sell one number to several people.
In 2023 and 2024, many runners who had paid hundreds of euros arrived in Amsterdam to find their number was invalid.
Resale closes on 14 October
Official resale closes on Wednesday 14 October, the day before collection opens at the Marathon Expo in the RAI Amsterdam.
Runners who decide a resold number isn’t worth the risk can look ahead to the city’s other races and sporting events.