Ghent Marathon 2026

In Belgium knowing is power… and in Ghent, 🏃‍♂️ running means giving it your all! 💪

The Ghent Marathon (or Gent if you want to show off your Flemish 😎) is the must-attend running event of the Belgian spring 🇧🇪! The last weekend of March, right when winter is packing 🧳 and the sun returns to poke its nose ☀️, you'll embark on a sports adventure in one of the most charming Flemish cities 🌸. No heat waves to turn your jersey into a mop 🥵, nor frost to turn you into a walking ice cube 🧊. In short, ideal conditions for stringing strides together! Plus, thanks to Belgian generosity, you'll have a choice of 3 distances. If that's not a big welcome, I don't know what is! ✨

No fuss here: three formats on the menu to satisfy everyone! The 11 km for those who want to taste Ghent without straining their thighs. A rather easygoing distance that still leaves you energy to explore the city afterward ⚡️ (and to eat fries, of course 😉). The Semi-Marathon for runners who already have some long outings under their belt. Finally, the cherry on the cake 🍰, the Marathon for the most daring who have decided to test their limits over 42.195 km. After km 30, you might start questioning your life choices, but the finish will be all the sweeter! The important thing to know: 20,000 runners at the start, it's a big deal! 🔥 The layout? A delight! You'll be running on an almost flat terrain (the Flanders didn't invent mountains, fortunately for you 🙏). However, a few passages on historical cobblestones will remind you that Ghent has 1,000 years of history beneath your soles. You'll zigzag between the Saint Bavo Cathedral, and the Belfry overlooking the city 🏰. Don't miss between strides the magnificent Castle of the Counts that dates back to the 12th century. It has seen epochs and peoples come and go but not often such determined runners 🤯. The famous canals will also keep you company for much of the course, with their reflections of old brick buildings 🧱. Avoid staring too much, it's not the time for an accidental splash! 💦 The pro tip: look ahead and enjoy! 🤓

We highly recommend activating tourist mode during your stay because coming to Gent just to run would be a big mistake ❌! First mandatory step: the Graslei and Korenlei, the most Instagrammable quays in Belgium (your friends will be jealous 📱). Head to the Castle of the Counts to visit this time and play the medieval lords 🗡️, or challenge yourself (again!) with the ascent of the Belfry. Your thighs may hurt 🦵, but the view is as worth it as your time! 🔔 If you're a culture enthusiast, don't hesitate to visit the Fine Arts Museum 🎨. And if you just need to relax and enjoy, it’s time to lie down on the grass in the Citadelpark 🌳. Now, speaking of gastronomy: you've exercised well, now it’s time to recover Belgian style. Homemade fries 🍟 with creamy mayo, a good hefty waterzooi that sticks to your ribs 🍲, cuberdons (it's purple, it's weird, but it's so good) 🍬, and of course a local craft beer 🍻 because after all, you're in Belgium (to be consumed in moderation)! To end on a high, a Liège waffle is a must! 🧇

We're not telling you tall tales, Ghent is a European must-see for races, gastronomy, and heritage. So why hesitate?