Dour Half Marathon (21KM.be) 2027

A race 🏃‍♀️, a half marathon and a sunset 🌅 in the heart 💓 of Wallonia, interested? It's in Dour, in the most French-speaking region of Belgium 🇧🇪, that you'll have the chance to live this unique experience alongside running enthusiasts… and animals! Yes indeed, you can also run an 11.5 km, a 6.1 km and finally THE Dour Half Marathon AKA 21KM.be AKA Hauts-Pays Half Marathon. Phew… That's a lot of names! 😅 But no matter, because the point remains the same: you have to come to this race, and we're going to explain why! 👇

It's in April 🪡, under the mild spring temperatures 🌸, that the fifth edition ✌️ of the Dour Half Marathon will take place. On the program: hilly courses ⛰️ (195 m of elevation gain), exceptional landscapes and a 21 km in semi-night mode 🌓 that will let you discover a magnificent sunset, just like last year's. This loop 🔁 in the south of the country will take you through the surroundings of the town, which borders France 🐓. You may know this town for its music festival (Dour Festival)… 🎸 So at least you've been warned! The locals have rhythm in their blood! 🎶 There, you shouldn't feel too out of place, whether in terms of landscape, language or temperature 😌. But don't forget: those are Belgians in front of you! So, even if they are extremely friendly (to the point of providing a team of professional physiotherapists who will give you all the massages you want 💆‍♀️), don't hesitate to stand up for your colors! 🇫🇷

We're joking, of course! 😉 Welcome and conviviality are the watchwords of this feel-good race 👍. At the Dour half, you'll be with enthusiasts who have done everything to include participants as well as possible. The proof: they have also included an 11.5 km and a 6.1 km in this event 👐. That way, even beginners can take part! But that's not all, since a canicross 🐶 will let you come and enjoy this warm atmosphere 🔥 and discover the beauty of the region 🥰 with your faithful companion. Also, athletes with disabilities can take part, as the half marathon course is suitable for joëlettes ♿. Moreover, the race is part of a challenge 😮 made up of 5 Belgian half marathons that includes those of Saint-Ghislain 🐻, Binche, Jurbise and Braine-le-Comte 👑. In the meantime, you can start preparing with this half, which is billed as the toughest of the challenge, notably because of its various climbs 📈 (restarts) that will require good technique. Yes indeed, with its 195 m of elevation gain, the course is surprisingly steep, especially when you know how flat a country Belgium is! 📏

However, it seems that the landscapes to discover at the 21KM.be are also the most sumptuous. For your information, you'll wander through the surroundings of the town, full of picturesque streets, and through Élouges, Wihéries, Audregnies, Montignies-sur-Roc and Onnezies. But as you might guess, there will also be nature! You'll run through fields 🌾**, windmills** 🌬️ and forest 🌳 of the Hauts Pays and of Quiévrain. The 6.1 km or the 11.5 km will let you discover Honnelles through woods 🪵, trails and roads. If you're not a geography buff, you'll be happy to learn that the Hauts-Pays Nature Park is a remarkable natural site with rich fauna and flora 💫. In total, 11.5% of its territory (1,840 hectares) is classified Natura 2000 🌿. Not bad! 👏

We hope you're convinced, because we're Dour-ly in love! 🫶