Thousands of runners took to the streets of Brussels and Leuven for the first-ever European Running Championships.
Credit : Shutterstock, Jarama
It’s a big weekend for running in Belgium. Brussels and Leuven are hosting the very first European Running Championships, and the energy on the ground is electric.
Across the two cities, thousands of amateur runners are lining up alongside top European athletes for what’s already being called one of the biggest running events the country has ever seen. With six different races — including a marathon, half-marathon and 10K — there’s something for everyone, from seasoned professionals to casual weekend joggers.
And yes, there’s already talk of medals, crowds, and records waiting to be broken.
Marathon route from Brussels to Leuven showcases Belgium’s landmarks
The weekend kicked off Saturday with the half-marathon in Leuven, but all eyes are now on Sunday’s record-breaking marathon, which starts in Brussels at Place Royale. King Philippe himself will be there to give the honorary starting signal at 10:15am, sending runners off on a stunning route past landmarks like Rue de la Loi and the Berlaymont building, before heading out through Woluwe and Tervuren, straight on to Leuven.
Leuven is very much the heart of the event. It’s where the marathon ends, and it’s hosting both the 10K and half-marathon. All races wrap up just outside the city centre at Parkpoort, with the final stretch taking runners past the scenic Vaartkom, through Ladeuzeplein, and onto the ring road for a dramatic final 600 metres.
And the atmosphere? It’s not just about the running. A big fan village at Ladeuzeplein, live music, street entertainment, and giant screens are all set to turn the city into one big celebration of sport.
Top contenders and local heroes headline European race weekend
This isn’t just about the masses. Some serious talent is toeing the start line, especially in Sunday’s 10K. Dominic Lobalu, the current European champion, will be racing the men’s event, while Olympic silver medallist Nadia Battocletti is tipped to dominate the women’s race.
But Belgium isn’t just playing host — it’s in the running for medals too. Juliette Thomas and Chloé Herbiet are strong contenders in the half-marathon, ranked second and fourth going in. And Isaac Kimeli, one of Belgium’s most experienced distance runners, is aiming for a top finish in the men’s 10K.
“It’s not just about speed. It’s about the crowd, the streets, the moment,” said one local runner lacing up for the 10K. “It’s not every day you get to run the same race as Olympic athletes.”
With over 28,000 participants and an atmosphere buzzing with energy, Belgium’s first European Running Championships isn’t just a sporting event — it’s a celebration of movement, community and history in the making.
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