Runners will own the capital again this Sunday. Nearly 18,000 of them will attend the 19th edition of the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon. That’s 5,500 more than last year and a record. The course has been thoroughly revamped and starts and ends in the city centre.
The city of Brussels never gets boring. Certainly not for the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon participants, who are treated to a revamped course right through and around the capital with numerous highlights along the way this year. After the start on Place De Brouckère and a first run through the city centre, the runners of the Half Marathon will continue their run through the city. The marathon runners plunge into the Annie Cordy Tunnel and cut through the green lungs in and around Brussels via the Basilica of Koekelberg.
Both distances converge at the Heysel Plateau, where runners can enjoy stunning views of the Atomium and Palace of Laeken. After passages along the iconic Avenue Lambermont, through Parc du Cinquantenaire and Rue de la Loi, a royal finish follows on Place des Palais, right in front of the Royal Palace. No prettier spot to put the crowning glory on the run.
In addition to the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon, the programme features two other distances: the Brussels Airport 7K and the Persil Kids 1K Run. Both races start and finish on the Place des Palais.
More than a hundred nationalities
Running is more popular than ever. Brussels is following the trend of just about all other running events this year and has seen a sharp growth in participant numbers. Across all distances, a record 18,000 runners will appear at the start, which is 30 percent more than the previous edition. With more than 100 different nationalities, the field of participants also highlights the capital’s international character. International runners come mainly from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain, but there are also quite a few participants from the U.S., Canada and Brazil to name a few.
The Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon also focuses on charity. For example, there is extra visibility for Demoucelle Parkinson Charity, an organisation dedicated to research into Parkinson’s disease. In addition, there are more than 3,000 participants who are doing the 7 km run or 3 km walk of ‘Race for the Cure by Think Pink,’ raising money for the fight against breast cancer.
Brussels Minister Sven Gatz – in charge of the image of Brussels – sums up the value of the event for the city and the region as follows: “This year, the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon welcomes 30% more participants than last year! I especially love this type of event, because it brings people from different backgrounds together through sport, lets them (re)discover some of the most emblematic places of our capital and conveys a strong message about supporting people in need.”
Mayor of the City of Brussels Philippe Close: “The Brussels Marathon is more than a race: it is a celebration for our city and the region, with a course along the most iconic places: from the majestic Basilica of Koekelberg, past the Atomium and Centenary Park to the finish on the Place des Palais. Once again, this proves that Brussels is a city that moves and where sport and conviviality are anchored in every street corner.”
Mobility
Come to the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon on foot, by bike or public transport. Place de Palais and Place de Brouckère are centrally located and also easily accessible from all directions by public transport. By train you can benefit from the advantageous weekend ticket at half price during the weekend. If you do come by car, make use of the Brussels Park & Rides (www.parkandride.brussels), which are free in combination with the metro.
Residents should also be aware that the route – which crosses 10 Brussels communes – will be completely closed to vehicular traffic as of 8am and systematically reopened after the last runner has passed (between 10am and 3:30pm). In certain places, it will be possible to cross the course. Use Waze or Google Maps to get around on the day.
PRACTICAL
Saturday 2 November 2024:
• 10am-6pm: Collection participant pack – Place du Trône
Sunday 3 November 2024:
• From 7:30am: Collection participant pack – Place du Trône
• 8:45am: Start Persil Kids Run – Place des Palais
• 9am: Start half marathon – Place De Brouckère
• 9am: Start 7K – Place des Palais
• 9:45am: Start marathon – Place De Brouckère
• Finish all distances – Place des Palais
