The fourth edition of the Antwerp Marathon will take place on Sunday 20 October. Organiser Golazo expects a record number of 19,000 participants and provides more than 50 entertainment points on the revamped city course. Besides the classic marathon distance, the programme on Sunday will also feature a half marathon and a 10 km. Online registration stays open until Saturday.
Until a few years ago, the Antwerp Marathon was still part of the 10 Miles in April. In 2019, the marathon moved to the autumn and a half marathon was added. In just a few years, the event grew from 5,000 to 19,000 participants. 20% of them come from abroad, which means the event also boosts the city’s overnight stays. Participants from more than 50 countries come to Antwerp.
Like last year, the start and finish of the Antwerp Marathon are at Droogdokkenpark and the MAS, but the course in between has been thoroughly redesigned. Broadly speaking, the marathon course runs from the Port Authority Building to the Palace of Justice and back again. Along the way, runners will pass Central Station, the Boerentoren and Het Steen. The marathon runners complete this city loop twice. After the first loop through the city, the menu also features a 5 km harbour loop, towards the Noordkasteel bridges. Half-marathon participants run the city loop plus harbour loop once.
The 10 km is a new distance on the Antwerp Marathon programme. The course winds through the port area and around the Eilandje, with an iconic finish line at the foot of the MAS, which is the same for the (half) marathon runners. 2,000 runners have registered for this 10K. The marathon accounts for 5,000 starters, while the half marathon is the most popular distance on Sunday with 12,000 participants. Thanks to the total of 19,000 participants – 60% more than last year – the Antwerp Marathon is experiencing another record edition!
Record Number of Entertainment Points
The city will be buzzing on Sunday, as organiser Golazo will provide no fewer than 30 entertainment points along the course: DJs, bagpipers, brass bands, etc. Thanks to the double city loop, marathon runners can even look forward to 57 of such musical and entertainment hotspots, which will be great fun for runners and their supporters. Supporters can also upload a supporters’ message in advance thanks to Port of Antwerp-Bruges, which will be projected on a big screen on Oudeleeuwenrui (+/- 1 km before the finish) when their favourite runner passes.
“Records are there to be broken, and certainly in Antwerp, by far the most active and vibrant running city in Flanders,” says Counciller for Sport Peter Wouters. “The Antwerp Marathon has made a name for itself in a short time thanks to its motivating and inviting mix of exercise and experience. And this time the announced revamp will make runners and supporters even more curious. There’s also no need to panic at all if you forget your trusted earphones on Sunday. There is more than enough music in the fourth edition of the Antwerp Marathon to find and maintain the right rhythm.”
Mobility
The record number of runners and multitude of spectators, promise to make Antwerp extremely busy indeed. Organiser Golazo advises participants to pick up their starting number from the Waagnatie on Friday or Saturday.
On foot or by (shared) bike are the most efficient ways to reach the start and finish area. There are bicycle parking facilities at the Waagnatie (at the start) and Godefriduskaai (at the finish). Start and finish are also easily accessible by public transport. Coming by car? Then use one of the Park & Rides around the city.
Important for supporters and residents: cyclists are not allowed on the course on Sunday, pedestrians are allowed to cross the course if possible. Many streets in the city centre will be closed, so please take this into account if you are a resident.
PRACTICAL INFO ANTWERP MARATHON
Programme:
Friday 18 October 2024:
• 12 noon-7pm: Collection participant pack
Saturday 19 October 2024:
• 10am-5pm: Collection participant pack
• 10.30am: Warm-up run 5 km with the Antwerp Running Crew
Sunday 20 October 2024:
• From 8am: Collection participant pack
• 9am: Start marathon
• 9.15am: Start 10K
• 1.30pm: Start half marathon
• 5pm: Close finish + end event
Locations:
• Registration, bag drop, changing rooms, massage stand, merchandise shop, medal engraving: Waagnatie
• Start: Droogdokkenweg
• Finish: MAS
