Practical info
Below you find all practical information about the Sofico Ghent Marathon.
Program
Programme (Timings will be communicated later)
FRIDAY 27 MARCH 2026
- Collection bib number
SATURDAY 28 MARCH 2026
- Collection bib number
SUNDAY 29 MARCH 2026
- Collection bib number
- Start Marathon
- Start Half Marathon
- Close of the finish
Location
Start & finish for all distances of the Sofico Gent Marathon are at Sport Vlaanderen Gent (Topsporthal), Zuiderlaan 14, 9000 Ghent.
Accessibility & Parking
All mobility information will be announced a few weeks before the event.
Participation packages
- Personalized race number with your name*
- Unique medal at the finish
- Marathon participants receive the exclusive Sofico Gent Marathon T-shirt for free
- Refreshment stations on the course and at the finish
- Changing rooms
- Free storage of sports bags
- A marathon & half marathon course officially measured by World Athletics
- Correct distance and time indication on the course and at the finish
- Complete results, available live on the website
- Detailed course description for every distance, with indication of the supply posts
- Sportinez-insurance during the races. Click here for more information.
- Electronic chip for correct time recording
*If you sign up before Monday 9 March, you will receive a personalised bib number.
Pick-up starter pack
- Participant packs will not be sent out but can be collected on site.
At the latest 1 week before the event, all individually registered participants will receive a confirmation email containing their personal number(*). With this number, you can pick up the bib number from the preregistration desk on site. - If you lost the email or did not receive it, do not worry, look up your bib number on the mypage and show your ID when collecting your bib number.
- You can collect your running shirt using your envelope. Please note that indicating your desired size on the registration form is purely informative & does not guarantee that this size will still be available when picking up the T-shirt. The earlier you pick up your T-shirt, the more likely it is that your desired size will still be available.
- * If you sign up before Monday 9 March, you will receive a personalised bib number.
Refreshment stations
- Ongeveer elke 5 kilometer is er bevoorrading. Details over wat er ter beschikking is, zal later worden gecommuniceerd.
- Enkele weken voor het event maken we de exacte locaties van de bevoorradingen bekend.
- There are toilets available at each refreshment station.
Time limits
Sofico Gent Marathon
The time limit for Sofico Gent Marathon runners is 6 hours. By order of the police the roads will be opened for traffic based on this pace. Those running slower will be eliminated from the race but can continue on the course at their own risk, but must strictly adhere to the traffic rules like pedestrians.
Sofico Gent Half Marathon
By order of the police, the course will be opened for traffic after the last runner finishes, following a tight schedule of 7 minutes per kilometre. Those running slower will be eliminated from the race but can continue on the course at their own risk, but must strictly adhere to the traffic rules like pedestrians.
Change of name or distance?
If you would like to change the distance or name, you can do so until 9 March 23:59 hrs on info@golazo.com We would like to receive the following information from the substitute in case of a name change:
- Reference number initial participant:
- Name + first name:
- Gender:
- Date of birth:
- Address:
- City + postal code:
- Phone number:
- Emergency phone number:
- E-mail address:
After the deadline indicated above, it will only be possible to change the name or distance at the registration desk on Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March. If a certain distance is completed, no substitutions are possible up to that distance.
Distance change (on-site)
- Pick up the bib number with the confirmation email of the person whose start number you are taking over.
- Change the information at the desk ‘change of name/distance’ and receive a new bib number.
Changing to a lower distance is free of charge. For a higher distance, the difference in price will be charged.
Name change (on-site)
- Pick up the bib number with the confirmation email of the person whose start number you are taking over.
- Change the information at the desk ‘change of name/distance’ and receive a new bib number.
Do not forget to bring your ID. A €12 admin fee will be charged on site for a change of name.
Can someone else collect my bib number?
Yes. De afhaler dient wel jouw bevestigingsmail met daarin je persoonlijke nummer of e-ticket mee te brengen naar de inschrijvingszone.
Timing with Chip
Timing is done using an electronic chip. This chip, on the back of the bib number, measures the net time between start and finish. This means that your time does not start running until you cross the starting line. This extra service ensures a more accurate recording of your time.
This chip is included in the registration fee and does not need to be recovered after the race.
Do not fold the bib number and do not remove the stickers on the chip
Can I cancel my entry?
If you are injured or cannot participate for another reason, you can purchase a cancellation policy during your registration.
- For cancellations up to and including 1 December 2025, 80% of the registration fee will be refunded.
- For cancellations up to and including 15 January 2026, 50% of the registration fee will be refunded.
- From 16 January 2026 onwards, no refund will be possible.
Extras such as the T-shirt, medal engraving and the cancellation policy itself will not be refunded (non-exhaustive).
Changing rooms
Showers and changing rooms are available for participants in the buildings of Sport Vlaanderen Gent
Sports bag drop zone
From 8am you can leave your sports bag for the event duration at the bag drop area provided.
- In your participation pack is a sticker with the same number as your BIB number.
- Stick this sticker on your bag and hand it in the bag drop area.
- Sign in at the tent corresponding to your start number.
- You can pick up your bag ONLY upon presentation of your start number
- Make sure you have a tight-fitting (sports) bag to put all your belongings in, loose items of clothing will not be accepted.
The organisers will take the necessary safety precautions to guard the area as best as we can, nevertheless use of the bag drop is at your own risk. The organisers are not responsible for any damage, loss and/or theft of personal items.
Pacer Team
There is a team of pacers for different speeds.
These pacers will be easily recognisable in their start boxes thanks to their coloured flags:
| Sofico Gent Marathon | Sofico Gent Half Marathon |
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Medal engraving
After you finish, you have the option to immortalise your achievement by having your medal engraved with your name and finishing time. On the registration form, you can tick the ‘medal engraving’ option for only €12.
Are you a late decider? Are you a late decider? No problem, as long as there is still availability, you can also decide and pay €14 on site.
Photo service
SPORTOGRAF.COM is the official photo service of the Ghent Marathon. These photographers have acquired a good reputation in recent years with their fully digital service and competitive prices.
As they are active runners themselves, they have an excellent feeling from the perspective of the participant.
You can find more info on how your photos will be handled here .
Preparation
The organisers would like to advise against intense physical activity without proper preparation. Ensure that you make sensible decisions regarding the distance you wish to cover and/or the pace you want to maintain. If you want to take part in competitive sport at high intensity level, it is advised to undergo an annual medical check-up.
The submission of medical certificates is not mandatory. It is up to the athlete himself to decide how to deal with the information he receives during a medical check-up. The organiser shall bear no responsibility in this regard.
Meer informatie over gezondheid sporten vind je hier .
The organisation also applies the following minimum age:
- Marathon: 18 years
- Half Marathon: 16 years
Sofico Gent Marathon App
- The app doesn’t validate my start number. What should I do?
The app validates based on your date of birth, which must match the one used in your race registration. If your date of birth is unknown, the app validates based on your first and last name. - Do I need to take my phone with me during the race to use LiveTracking?
No, you don’t. The app uses intermediate timing points to calculate your average speed. It works for everyone. Only if GPS tracking is enabled do you need to carry your phone. - How can I set my profile to private or public?
Log in, go to Profile >Settings, scroll down to Private account, switch it on, and set a PIN code. Share this code with the people who want to follow you. You can change it anytime by switching the feature off and on again. - My personal details are incorrect in the app. How can I change them?
Please contact the organisation to update your details.
Visit Ghent
Would you like to combine Sofico Gent Marathon with a visit to this unique historic city? You can!
Ghent breathes history and offers you a fascinating cultural cocktail filled to the brim with trendy and modern city life. Ghent is a city for bon vivants. The sympathetic and hospitable inhabitants of Ghent know what the good life is all about. During your city trip, don’t miss the opportunity to admire the world-famous masterpiece “The Mystic Lamb” by the brothers Van Eyck.
For information about accommodation and places of interest, please refer to visit.gent.be