A new edition of the Sofico Gent Marathon will take place on Sunday 21 March. The country’s most popular spring marathon will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2027. In addition to the marathon, the programme will again feature a half marathon. Primary school children in Ghent will be able to run their own Mini Marathon for the first time next year. Registration for the 2027 Sofico Gent Marathon is now open.
Over the course of ten editions, the Sofico Gent Marathon has grown to become Belgium’s biggest spring marathon. The first edition in 2017 attracted 1,100 participants, a number that has risen exponentially in subsequent editions to as many as 20,000.
The attractive route, which takes runners through the beautiful historic city centre and KAA Gent’s football stadium, draws participants to Ghent from home and abroad. At the previous edition, runners from 60 different countries lined up at the start on Zuiderlaan, close to the Topsporthal. The unique finisher experience on the track at Sport Vlaanderen Gent is also a major draw for many participants, including many residents of Ghent.
Next year, primary schools pupils in Ghent will also be able to get a taste of the Sofico Gent Marathon by running their very first Mini Marathon, which will be organised a few days before the ‘real’ marathon. Golazo, the City of Ghent and Sportaround VZW are joining forces to make this happen. At the finish line at the Topsporthal, after a run of around 1 km, a shiny medal awaits every young runner.
Running for a good cause
“We are committed to continuing to improve the event and to involve as many Ghent residents as possible,” says Greg Broekmans of organiser Golazo. “We can be proud of the distance the Ghent Marathon has come. The route has become more attractive year on year, and over 20 per cent of participants now come from abroad to enjoy Ghent for a whole weekend. But we’re not just focusing on the many visitors; we’re also focusing on the people of Ghent themselves, and in 2027 we’ll be making an extra effort for charity.”
Sportaround and Kom op tegen Kanker will be the charities supported by the Sofico Gent Marathon in 2027. When registering for the marathon or half marathon, every participant can make a donation of their choice or commit to raising funds. Registration for the 2027 Sofico Gent Marathon is open from now until Saturday 20 March, whilst places last. Anyone with a UiTPAS on the reduced-rate scheme is entitled to an 80 per cent discount on the registration fee.
Those interested should not wait too long to register, as the Sofico Gent Marathon was sold out every year in recent years. This is unlikely to be any different for next year’s anniversary edition.
Proud Mayor and Title Partner
Mayor Mathias De Clercq: “The Sofico Gent Marathon always makes a huge impact on our city. Thousands of participants and supporters from home and abroad will once again discover Ghent in a unique way. We are proud that Ghent provides the backdrop for an event that brings people together, inspires them and gets them moving.”
Councillor for Sport, Bram Van Braeckevelt: “Ten years of the Ghent Marathon prove that elite sport and grassroots sport go hand in hand. From schoolchildren’s first few metres of running to impressive marathon performances at the finish line: thanks to initiatives such as the free Mini Marathon and the UiTPAS reduced-rate entry, we are making this sporting challenge accessible to as many Ghent residents as possible.”
Wim De Bruyne, CEO Sofico: “The Sofico Gent Marathon is about more than just the finish line. It’s about keeping active, continuing to grow and always taking that next step. That is exactly what we are celebrating today at the tenth edition of the Sofico Gent Marathon. What once started small has now become an event with an international appeal, just as Sofico itself has grown over the years. We really can be proud of that together.”