18,000 participants to run Brussels Airport Marathon

The 19th edition of the Brussels Airport Marathon on Sunday will be run by a record number of 18,000 participants, 5,500 more than last year, reported Brussels news platform BRUZZ. The revamped route of the event, organised by Golazo, offers participants a running experience through the heart of Brussels and some of its iconic locations.

The starting gun for the marathon – and half marathon – will sound at the Place de Brouckère, after which participants will run through the city centre. For the marathon runners, there is an extra loop via the Annie Cordy Tunnel towards the Basilica of Koekelberg and the green outskirts of Brussels. Both groups will meet at the Heysel Plateau. After passing through Avenue Lambermont, Parc du Cinquantenaire and along Rue de la Loi, the race ends with a royal finish on Place des Palais.

There are a total of 18,000 participants from more than 100 different countries. Besides a large number of Belgian participants, mainly sports enthusiasts from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain take part. But runners from the US, Canada and Brazil will also participate in this edition. More than 3,000 participants are running to raise funds for the battle against breast cancer and for Parkinson's research.

Besides the marathon and half marathon, there are also shorter events: the Brussels Airport 7K and the Persil Kids Run (1K). These races start and finish at Place des Palais.

The organisers urge participants and supporters to come to the event on foot, by bike or by public transport. Due to the route, which crosses ten Brussels municipalities, several roads will be closed on Sunday morning.

^{Participants of the Brussels Airport Marathon in 2022 © BELGA PHOTO JULIETTE BRUYNSEELS}