BEAT Running Festival

The BEAT Running Festival on 26 September 2026 in the Amsterdamse Bos is a unique knockout running event where participants run successive 1 km laps at an increasing pace. The race is about keeping up with an official pacer; anyone who falls behind is eliminated, until one man and one woman remain. Alongside the exciting race, there’s a festival with food, drinks, challenges and a community zone, making the event more than just a running race. The winners receive a sports trip worth €2,000.

The race starts at a pace of 6:30 min/km and speeds up by 15 seconds per km each lap, down to a minimum pace of 3:30 min/km. After each lap, there’s a short rest zone where runners wait until the pacer sets off again. Eliminated participants remain part of the festival as supporters. There’s a Challenge Zone and Community Zone with activities, merchandise and activations. Knockout race with 1 km laps, increasing pace, festival experience, food & drinks, challenge and community zones, location in Amsterdamse Bos