Running through labs, offices, and hidden corners of the campus: the traditional Campus Trail will return to the Zernike Campus on Friday, September 11, 2026. Following an exclusive pre-registration during the Campus Café on Thursday, April 9—where excitement was immediately high—registrations for this 6.4-kilometer fun run are now officially open to everyone.
Amber van der Schaaf, Communications and Community Manager at Campus Groningen and co-initiator of the running event, says: “The Campus Trail has become a fixture on the campus calendar. Mark the second Friday of September in your agendas for years to come. Participants will have the unique opportunity to discover special spots on and around the campus while running. We are proud that, for this seventh edition, we have a renewed route and a new start and finish location: Plus Ultra Groningen.”
“The Campus Trail is a wonderful example of how we combine sport, networking, and innovation on campus,” says Jasper Schipper, Commercial Manager at real estate developer Kadans Science Partner. “Through our role, we connect companies and people on the campus every day, and it’s great to now reinforce that through this event. We’re proud that Plus Ultra serves as the start and finish point this year.”
Enthusiasm is echoed by the organizers: “The Campus Trail is known for its amazing atmosphere and the energy that emerges when the entire campus community comes together,” adds Amber van der Schaaf. “We aim to deliver another fantastic edition this year, together with companies, students, and other campus participants. So register quickly—you don’t want to miss this atmosphere!”
In addition to the new route and start location, the Campus Trail remains accessible to a wide audience. Both companies and individual participants can register. Companies are again invited to join with teams, enhancing the event’s connecting spirit. A regular individual ticket costs €17.50, with students receiving a €5 discount.
With registration now open, Campus Groningen invites everyone—both from within and outside Groningen—to sign up in time and work towards an inspiring and sporty day this September.
Registrations open April 10 via www.campustrail.nl.
The Campus Trail is an initiative of Campus Groningen in collaboration with Business Association WEST, Lode Holding, ACLO, the Sports Centre (RUG / Hanze), and Kadans. Event operations are managed by Paul van Put Events.
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.
