The Campus Trail at Campus Groningen is once again generating a lot of enthusiasm. So far, 500 participants have already registered for the seventh edition of the running event, which will take place on Friday, September 11. The organizers expect a total of about 700 participants at the starting line this year.
The Campus Trail has become a beloved tradition on the Zernike Campus. Along the 6.4-kilometer route, participants explore the campus in a unique way. The route winds its way through academic buildings, research facilities, sports venues, and innovative companies, interspersed with live music, surprising encounters, and special locations.
New this year are the Proxima student housing complex, which is part of the course, and Plus Ultra Groningen, which serves as the start and finish location. In this multi-tenant building for innovative companies and organizations, participants will gather before the run and wrap up the event together with a social get-together.
Top athlete kicks off the event
When the starting gun goes off at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, September 11, it will be fired by top athlete and Team 4Mijl ambassador Paavo de Leng. He is looking forward to his role as starter: “As an athlete, I know how inspiring it is to run in a special setting. The Campus Trail introduces participants to the campus and everything that happens here in a unique way. That’s what makes this race truly different from other events.”
Amber van der Schaaf, communications and community manager at Campus Groningen and co-organizer of the event, is pleased with the high level of interest. “The fact that 500 participants have already registered shows that the Campus Trail is a hit. We expect around 700 participants this year. The Trail showcases just how versatile Zernike Campus is: a place where people work, study, do business, play sports, and collaborate. During the Trail, you’ll experience that dynamic up close.”
Register
Registration for the Campus Trail is still open through September 3, whether you’re signing up individually or as part of a company or organizational team. On the day of the event (September 11), race tickets can still be purchased at the starting location. Register here: https://campusgroningen.nl/events/campus-trail-2026
Practical Information: Campus Trail 2026
Friday, September 11, 2025
Start: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Plus Ultra Groningen, Zernikelaan 14
Distance: 6.4 kilometers
The Campus Trail is an initiative of Campus Groningen in collaboration with the WEST Business Association, Lode Holding, ACLO, the Sports Center (RUG / Hanze), and Kadans. Paul van Put Events is responsible for the practical organization of the event.
Who is developing the most impactful innovation in Life Sciences & Health in the Northern Netherlands? Five companies are in the running for the LIFE Science Innovation Award 2026: Flux Robotics, Limosa Immunodiagnostics, SPCTR, MimeCure and GlycanScan International. The nominees will present their innovations on Tuesday 22 September during the fifth edition of the LIFE Science Conference in Groningen. An independent jury will select the winner, who will receive a €10,000 cash prize.
A much-loved tradition The Campus Trail has become a much-loved tradition on campus. Students, employees and professionals from companies and organisations across the campus ecosystem lace up their running shoes for a sporty 6.4-kilometre route through buildings and past some of the campus’s unique labs. The rapid growth in registrations shows just how much the Campus Trail has become part of the campus community. The combination of sport, meeting others and the unique campus setting makes the run a great opportunity to connect with people outside the usual work and study environment. And there’s no need to head home as soon as you cross the finish line. During the after-party, hosted by Contini Catering, participants can relax together, enjoy a drink and celebrate the afternoon. There’s still time to join: those who want to take part can register online until 3 September, or sign up on the day itself using the PIN Campus Trail 2026 | Campus Groningen.
ZonMw is expected to open the final call for proposals within the PharmaNL Shared Development Infrastructure (SDI) program line. This program line focuses on strengthening the infrastructure for the development, upscaling, and production of innovative medicines in the Netherlands.
