The fifth edition of the Athora Great Bruges Marathon will take place on Sunday 16 October. Participants can choose from various running and walking distances, from 8 km to, of course, the full marathon distance. The event also appeals to an international crowd, with over 20% of the more than 5,000 participants coming from abroad. Home runner Koen Naert will start in the half marathon. Online registration is open until Saturday.
All distances start on the Dijver and finish on the Markt, with a view of the Belfry. The most popular distance is the half marathon for runners, with 58% of all participants opting for that one. 30% will attempt the full marathon distance of 42.195 km. Walkers represent 12% of the total number of pre-registrants: 6.5% opt for the 21K Walk and 5.5% for the 8km Family Walk, which takes in all the famous Bruges historic city centre spots.
The (half) marathon runners will also run past the highlights of the city centre, but will also explore the wider surroundings as far as Dudzele (half marathon) and Zeebrugge (marathon). The walking course of the half marathon is completely new this year and features picturesque Damme.
There are two Athora cheering zones along the route where family and friends can encourage and cheer on the participants. Music, a DJ, clappers and signs of encouragement will create a unique atmosphere. The first Athora cheering zone is in the heart of Bruges, at the Sasplein (Marathon, Half Marathon and 21K Walk pass through here). The second cheering zone is on Herdersbruggestraat (Marathon & Half Marathon). Supporters are very welcome!
More than 70 nationalities
This year, the Athora Great Bruges Marathon is welcoming more than 5,000 participants again, including almost 300 participants from title partner Athora. Over 20% of participants come from abroad. There are no fewer than 70 different nationalities at the start, most of them French (10%), British (4%) and Dutch (4%). But Spain, Italy, Germany, Ireland and the United States are also well represented. It is clear that the great international interest in the Athora Great Bruges Marathon gives a big boost to the City of Bruges’ economic return.
“The arrival of the Great Bruges Marathon always creates a heyday of sports for Bruges and the mix of sports, tourism and gastronomy appeals enormously to the many national and international runners who come down to Bruges,” says Councillor for Sport Franky Demon. “I eagerly look forward to this top weekend every year!”
Athora Belgium, specialist in savings and pension insurance, is the event’s title sponsor for the fourth year in a row.
You can register online for the fifth edition of the Athora Great Bruges Marathon on www.athoragreatbrugesmarathon.com until 23:59hrs on Saturday 15 October. Well-known participants in the half marathon include Koen Naert (2018 European Marathon Champion) and Sven Vanthourenhout (Belgian national cycling coach).
