The Sofico Gent Marathon has quickly become the biggest and most popular running event in our country. On Sunday 26 March, 12,500 participants will be at the start in the Artevelde City. Three quarters of the runners will choose the marathon or half marathon, the remaining quarter the 5 or 11 km. The half marathon and 11 km are full. Online registration for the marathon and 5 km will remain open until Saturday.
In a few years, the number of participants in the Sofico Gent Marathon has increased from a few thousand to as many as 12,500 this year. Almost 9,500 runners will choose the half marathon or marathon on Sunday. The starting shot will resound on Europalaan at the stroke of 10am for them. About 3,000 runners will gather in the starting boxes for the 5 and 11 km run, which will start at 11am.
To increase the running comfort, the course has been slightly modified compared to last year. The route of the (half) marathon still runs through the historical city centre, including the Coupure, St Michael’s bridge and Graslei. Further down the course, participants run along the Ottergemsesteenweg and bridge over the E17 into the Ghelamco Arena. The course of the 5 and 11 km meanders along the river Lys. All distances finish in the Topsporthal.
Participants in the Sofico Gent Marathon come from all over Belgium, but Ghent is also happy to welcome more than 1,500 international runners. Practically all hotels in the city are fully booked for a weekend in Ghent, which means a nice economic return for the city.
Sofie Bracke, Councillor for Sport in Ghent: “Ghent has been known as a running city in its own country for a while now, but the Sofico Gent Marathon gives our city the international appeal it deserves. On Sunday, participants from as many as 20 different countries will be at the start, all running right through our historic centre, quite a feat of PR for the city!”
Piet Maes, COO of title partner Sofico: “We are very happy with the growing success of the marathon, both the event and the internal perception among our colleagues. Our ‘Best Us Ambassadors’ are looking forward to starting on Sunday, along with around 100 other Sofico employees and sympathisers.”
Mobility and cleanliness
The Sofico Gent Marathon is expecting thousands of supporters to line the course on Sunday again. They will provide the necessary atmosphere, conviviality and encouragement for the participants. Obviously, the arrival of thousands of runners and supporters also calls for a robust mobility plan. Organiser Golazo sports is once again taking numerous proactive measures to ensure that the flow of people entering and leaving the event is as smooth and pleasant as possible. Both participants and spectators are asked to come to the event site mainly on foot or by bike. Runners can collect their bib number as early as Saturday between 10am and 5pm.
The organisation’s sustainability plan also provides for strict waste management, including separate waste collection, reusable cups at the drink stands and a strong ‘green team’ to keep everything tidy.
PRACTICAL INFO SOFICO GENT MARATHON
Programme Saturday 25 March 2023:
• 10am-5pm: Collection bib number
Programme Sunday 26 March 2023:
• 8am-10:30am: Collection bib number
• 10am: Start Sofico Gent Marathon & Half Marathon
• 11am: Start Sofico Gent 11 km & 5 km
• 4:30pm: Close finish
• 5pm: End event
Location:
• Start: Europalaan in Ghent, 900 metres from the Topsporthal
• Finish: all distances finish at the Topsporthal, Zuiderlaan 14, Ghent
Registration:
Online registration for the marathon and 5 km is open until 11:59pm on Saturday 25 March
