Brussels to Leuven: European Running Championships to take place this weekend

Brussels to Leuven: European Running Championships to take place this weekend
Runners participate in the Brussels Marathon race on Sunday 3 November 2024 in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck

This weekend, Brussels and Leuven will host the very first European Running Championships, where top athletes and a mass of recreational runners will stand shoulder to shoulder at the start of the marathon, half marathon and 10 km.

The first European Running Championships combines the marathon and half marathon from the European (track) Athletics Championships, and bundles the road races into a new biennial championship. While elite runners compete for the European titles, the race simultaneously doubles as an "open" championship that any recreational runner can enter.

"This first edition of the European Running Championships is putting Flanders on the map as the place where top sport and grassroots sports organisations come together," said Flemish Minister for Sport Annick De Ridder (N-VA).

Brussels to Leuven

The first edition of the brand-new European championship will start at the Royal Palace in Brussels on Sunday 13 April, where Belgium's King Philippe will give the starting signal for the race. Over 13,000 marathon runners from all corners of Europe will then set off via Rue de la Loi, Berlaymont, Woluwe and Tervuren – in a straight line to Leuven.

Leuven will form the heart of these European Running Championships: all races finish and – apart from the marathon – start on the Leuven ring road at Parkpoort.

First, the half marathon heads to the north of the city – after a steep climb up Keizersberg – and the banks of the Vaart before moving through the city. The 10 km race is largely confined to the city centre. The last 4 km is the same for all three distances and goes from the Vaartkom to Bondgenotenlaan and via Ladeuzeplein to the ring road for the final 600 m.

Credit: European Running Championships

Participants will gather before and after the race at the Philips site by Parkpoort, where a large supporters' area will be set up by the podium where the winners will be announced. Additionally, the Ladeuzeplein will also become one big fan village with TV screens, music and entertainment.

In Brussels, the Parc de Bruxelles will be the starting village for the marathon on Sunday. "Brussels is the sports capital, and this marathon proves that again," said City of Brussels Mayor Philippe Close (PS).

"These first-ever European Running Championships will be a unique moment for top athletes and joggers to set off together from the Royal Palace, ready for an amazing course through a stretch of Brussels."

Registering for all three of the races is still possible until 9 April. Find more information here.

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