It is typically held in either September or October The competition, which roughly translates as the Utrecht Canal Run, was initiated by Nico Munzert and had its first edition on 30 May 1925.

The length of the race was extended in 1937, but the event suffered interruption in this period, being absent between 1940 and 1946 due to World War II and undergoing cancellations in 1950 and 1955.

The competition attracted top level Dutch runners in the 1970s: Klaas Lok won in 1974, Rob Druppers took the 1975 title, then Gerard Tebroke defeated an injured Jos Hermens to win the 1976 race.

Dutch steeplechaser Simon Vroemen was the 1993 winner and the Singelloop celebrated its 50th edition the following year – a fact which underlined its position as the oldest road race in the country.

[6] The current course for the Singelloop has a singular clock-wise loop format within the city, which begins near Lepelenburg Park, passes along Utrecht's canals, then finishes near Wilhelminapark.