10,000 running enthusiasts from around the world on new course

29 September 2022

This Sunday 2 October, runners from around the world and across the country are descending on Brussels. The 17th edition of the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon is expecting around 10,000 runners who will be able to enjoy a completely new course, starting under the Atomium and finishing on the track of the King Baudouin Stadium.

For years, the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon has been the most international running event in the country and this year is no different. More than 100 nationalities will be at the start on Sunday, with over 25% of participants living abroad. Many of them come from neighbouring countries France, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. But dozens of Americans, Brazilians and South Africans will also attend.

Where better to start an event with such international appeal than under the Atomium, the European capital’s most visited tourist attraction? From there, the new course winds its way to Laeken, Jette, the Canal Zone and back to the Heysel Plateau to finish on – where else – the avenue de Marathon. The finish is in the King Baudouin Stadium, where just a few weeks ago the world’s top athletes ran the Allianz Memorial Van Damme.

The new course promises a lot to look forward to between start and finish: the green Parc de Laeken with its Royal Greenhouses, the idyllic King Baudouin Park in Jette, the famous Northern Quarter – the Brussels business district with its office towers, the Brussels Maritime Canal with a view of your fellow runners on the other side, the Brussels marina, the Japanese Tower,… Another bonus for the majority of participants: there is a lot less elevation to overcome on this course.

This faster course also attracts some Kenyans to Brussels who are keen on setting a good time. Earlier this year, Philip Koech ran 2.14.36 in Lens. His compatriot and training buddy Dominic Mibei is making his marathon debut, but has already set strong times in the half marathon and 10km. They are paced by a third Kenyan: Gevin Kerich. There are also some famous locals among the participants like TV chef Loic Van Impe.

For the whole family!

By no means everyone is aiming for the full 42.195km. Apart from the marathon, the programme also features the revamped Brussels Airport Half Marathon (again the most popular distance), a 10 km and a 3 km (walk). The little ones can let off steam in the Kids Run in Parc de Laeken. There’s something for everyone!

Double charity

The Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon supports the Demoucelle Parkinson Charity, which is dedicated to researching a cure for Parkinson’s disease. In addition, the Brussels Race For The Cure by Think Pink will once again be integrated into the event. Participants with their hearts in the right place can choose between 10 km (run) or 3 km (walk), supporting breast cancer patients in Europe.

Programme:

Saturday 1 October

– 12pm – 5pm: Collect participant package
– 13:30: : Warm-up Run met de BXL Run Crew

Sunday 2 October

– 07h30 – 11h30: Pick up participant pack
– 09h00: Brussels Airport Marathon
– 09:30: Brussels Airport 10K
– 09h30: Kids Run 1K
– 09:40: Race for the Cure® Bruxelles 10K (run – no timing)
– 10:10: Race for the Cure® Bruxelles 3K (walk – no timing)
– 10:30: Brussels Airport Half Marathon