The Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon is more international than ever. The 20,000 participants who will set off from the heart of Brussels on Sunday morning for the 20th edition come from 125 different countries. With 11,000 runners, the Belgians are still the best represented group. Highlights along the route include the Basilica of Koekelberg, the King Baudouin Stadium, the Atomium, the Palace of Laeken, the European quarter and, of course, the royal finish on the Place des Palais.
With 20,000 participants, the 20th edition of the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon far exceeds last year’s record number of 18,500. 45% of the participants are non-Belgian nationals. France leads the international ranking, followed by the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Poland and Norway. More than 70 Japanese and more than 100 Americans and Brazilians will also be at the start. A total of 125 different nationalities are represented.
On Sunday, participants can choose from three distances. More than half of the runners will take part in the half marathon, making it by far the most popular distance. The marathon is once again seeing strong growth, with 3,600 starters, a 20% increase compared to last year. An equal number of runners prefer the 7 km race, some of them participating through the Race for the Cure by Think Pink. Another 1,500 walkers are also taking part for the same good cause. Both the half marathon (starting at 9 a.m.) and the marathon (starting at 10 a.m.) will start from Place De Brouckère in the city centre. The starting shot for the 7 km will sound on Rue de la Loi at 8:45 a.m. All three races will finish at Place des Palais, just in front of the Royal Palace.
Course
The marathon route crosses ten Brussels municipalities. Immediately after the start, the runners enter the Annie Cordy Tunnel, which, at over two and a half kilometres, is the longest car tunnel in Belgium. The route features two monumental churches: the Basilica of Koekelberg and the Church of Our Lady of Laeken. At the Heysel, marathon and half marathon runners will run on the athletics track of the King Baudouin Stadium and past the Atomium. The programme also includes the Palace of Laeken.
Via the Park of Laeken, Josephat Park, Montgomery Square, Parc du Cinquantenaire, the European Quarter and Rue de la Loi, the (half) marathon runners return to the heart of Brussels, where a royal reception awaits them in the Place des Palais, in front of the gates of the Royal Palace.
The Brussels Airport 7K dives straight from Rue de la Loi into the Jubelpark tunnel, a stretch through the beating political heart of Europe. Via Montgomery Square, the runners return to the centre, again taking the Parc du Cinquantenaire tunnel. The route leads them directly to Place des Palais.
Favourites
Ethiopian Solomon Belayneh, who won last year’s Brussels Airport Marathon, will be defending his title. He will be challenged by Kenyans Felix Kipsang Mutai and Hillary Mutai and Eritrea’s Aleksander Tekleweld, who came second in last year’s Brussels 20 km.
Amaury Paquet and Valentine Mathy, the winners of the 2024 Brussels Airport Half Marathon, are also attending again on Sunday. Both were part of the Belgian selection for the half marathon at the European Running Championships in Leuven last spring. Furthermore, Paquet is a three-time winner of the Brussels 20 km.
Mathy can expect stiff competition on Sunday from Amélie Saussez, multiple winner of the Half Marathon of Nivelles. She defended the Belgian colours in the marathon distance at the European Running Championships and is aiming for her first victory in the Brussels Airport Half Marathon on Sunday.
Race for the Cure & Belgian Police Championship
As in previous years, the Race for the Cure by Think Pink will be integrated into the programme of the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon. It consists of a 7 km run and a 3 km walk, starting and finishing in front of the Federal Parliament. Race for the Cure is Europe’s largest walking and running event in the fight against breast cancer.
Another race within the race: the Belgian Police Sports Association has awarded the Belgian Police Championship to the Brussels Airport Marathon. Around 150 police officers will take part in the marathon and half marathon on Sunday.
New: the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon App
The new Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon app ensures that participants now have all the important race information at their fingertips. This free app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iOS), is also super handy for spectators. On Sunday, they can follow the split times of their favourite runner(s) and where they are on the course. The estimated finish time is also displayed, so supporters can get to the finish line in time for the final cheers.
”This event reflects more than ever what Brussels Airport does every day.”
Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport: “It is impressive that a record number of more than 20,000 runners and all their supporters will gather in Brussels, in the heart of Europe. There are also more participants than ever from our airport community. All these visitors can look forward to a unique route through our capital. The marathon is clearly alive and kicking, and this event reflects more than ever what Brussels Airport does every day: bringing people together from all over the world and giving them a unique experience.”
Mobility
With a record number of runners and a multitude of spectators, Sunday promises to be busy in Brussels. Organiser Golazo advises participants to pick up their race numbers on Friday or Saturday.
The best options for getting to the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon are by bicycle or on foot. The Place des Palais and Place De Brouckère are centrally located and easily accessible from all directions by public transport. If you travel by train, you can take advantage of the half-price weekend ticket. If you do come by car, it is best to use the Brussels Park & Rides (www.parkandride.brussels), which are free in combination with a metro ticket.
Residents should note that the course will be completely closed to traffic from 8 a.m. on Sunday. The streets will gradually be reopened after the last runner has passed (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). It will be possible to cross the course at certain points. Please use the Waze or Google Maps apps if you want to travel around Brussels on Sunday.
PRACTICAL INFO BRUSSELS AIRPORT MARATHON & HALF MARATHON
Programme Friday 31 October 2025:
• 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Collection participant pack
Programme Saturday 1 November 2025:
• 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Collection participant pack
Programme Sunday 2 November 2025:
• From 7:30 a.m.: Collection participant pack
• 8:45 a.m.: Start Brussels Airport 7K + Race for the Cure (run)
• 9 a.m.: Start Brussels Airport Half Marathon + Race for the Cure (walk)
• 10 a.m.: Start Brussels Airport Marathon
• 4 p.m.: Close finish
• 4:30 p.m.: End event
Locations:
Place Royale:
• Collection bib number
• Changing rooms
• Merchandise shop (Friday and Saturday)
Place du Musée:
• T-shirts
• Race for the Cure: Collection bib number
Place des Palais:
• Bag drop area
• Medal engraving
• Finish all distances
• Merchandise shop (Sunday)
Rue de la Loi:
• Start 7K & Race for the Cure
Place De Brouckère:
• Start marathon & half marathon
