The Brussels Marathon & Half Marathon will return to the capital this Sunday, which will see a 46 km route being closed off to traffic until the afternoon.
On Sunday 1 October, Brussels will be taken over by runners for the 18th edition of the Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon. This year, a revamped course will include even more of the city's major landmarks.
More than 12,000 participants from over 100 countries will take part in the running event, marking a 20% increase compared to the 2022 edition. Runners will come from far and wide: from the Netherlands and Germany to Brazil, South Africa and Vietnam.
The route usually starts at the Atomium. Credit: Brussels Airport Marathon
Top Kenyan runners Felix Mutai Kipsang (31) and Simon Kipkosgei (24), who has a personal best time of 2:07:07 in the marathon, will likely be spotted among the runners.
Where will the course run?
This year, the start of the marathon and half marathon will not be at the usual spot, the iconic Atomium in the north of the region. Instead, the starting shot will be made at Place De Brouckère, right in the city centre.
Runners have to pick up their participation package on the Grand Place, setting the tone for the sights that will be seen during the run.
Credit: Brussels Airport Marathon
Both the 42.195 km route and the 21 km route (Half Marathon) will take runners into the newly renovated Annie Cordy Tunnel, to then be taken to the Koekelberg Basilica, the Royal Palace of Laeken and then to the Atomium. The finish line will be on the brand new track of the King Baudouin Stadium.
Registration for the Marathon, Half Marathon and Chidlren's Run is possible online until 30 September 2023 at 23:59.
The Brussels Marathon will set off at 9:00, followed by the Kids Run (1K) at 09:30 and the Brussels 10K at 09:45. The Brussels Half Marathon will start at 10:30.
Expected disruptions across Brussels
The entire course will be completely closed by the police from 07:30 in the morning, with roads gradually reopening after the last runners have passed. Depending on the location, traffic is expected to return to normal between 11:00 and 15:00.
Tweet translation: "Brussels Marathon & Half Marathon 2023 on Sunday 1 October. Traffic congestion is expected throughout the city. We invite you to use the car parks (P+R) and prefer public transport."
The police have shared a list of all the streets and squares that will be affected by the Marathon. These are:
Place De Brouckère - Boulevard Emile Jacqmain - Boulevard Baudoin - Tunnel Annie Cordy - Avenue des Gloires Nationales - Avenue Van Overbeke - Avenue des Neuf Provinces - Venelle Mozart - Het Veroost - rue au Bois - Avenue du Laerbeek - Avenue de l'Exposition - rue Antoine Baeck - Parc Baudoin -. Square Jules Lorge - Rond-point du Sacré-Cœur - Parc de la Jeunesse - Rond-point Guillaume De Greef - Boulevard de Smet de Naeyer - Avenue Houba de Strooper - rue Emile Wauters - Avenue des Robiniers - Avenue du Parc Royal - Parvis Notre-Dame de Laeken - Avenue de la Reine - Rue Claessens - Rue de l'entrepôt - Avenue du Port - Place des Armateurs - Quai de Willebroeck - Boulvard Simon Bolivar - Boulevard Albert II - Rue des Croisades - Boulevard Simon Bolivar - Quai de Willebroeck - Allée verte - Pont des Armateurs - Avenue du Port - Rue Claessens - Avenue de la Reine - Parvis Notre- Dame - Rue des Palais Outre-Ponts - Rue Albert - Chaussée de Vilvorde - Chaussée de Vilvorde - Pont Van Praet - Quai des Usines - Quai Léon Montoyer - Rue de l'avant-port - Rue du Lion - Avenue de Vilvorde - Rond-point Docks Bruxsel - Boulevard Lambermont - Chaussée de Vilvorde (cycle track), Chaussée de Vilvorde - Chaussée de Vilvorde - Avenue Van Praet - Avenue du Parc Royal - Avenue de la Dynastie - Avenue du Gros Tilleul - Parc de Laeken - Avenue des Narcisses - Avenue des Seringas - Avenue du Gros Tilleul - Rond-Point Jean Offenberg - Avenue du Comte Moens de Fernand - Rond-Point Docks Bruxsel - Boulevard Lambermont - Rue de Lion - Avenue de Vilvorde - Rond-Point Docks Bruxsel - Boulevard Lambermont Avenue du Comte Moens de Ferning - Avenue de Madrid - Avenue de l'Atomium - Place de l'Atomium - Boulevard du Centenaire - Place Louis Steens - Avenue du Gros Tilleul - Avenue de Bouchout - Avenue du Marathon - Entrance to the Stade Roi Baudoin.
People travelling to Brussels on Sunday are advised to use the P+R car parks outside of the region and take public transport instead.
The event will also impact the services run by public transport operator STIB, from the start of the service until the beginning of the afternoon. Travellers are advised to opt for travelling by metro and tram for their journeys as much as possible.
Lines 13, 14, 20, 46, 47, 53, 56, 58, 83, 86, 87, 88 and the shuttle bus of line 19 will either be redirected or will not run until a certain time. The trams lines 19, 51, and 93 will be restricted until 12:45. Find more information about diversion and cancellations here.
