Gent Marathon

Gent Marathon has grown into one of Belgium’s defining spring races, combining the scale of a major city event with the distinct character of Ghent itself. The 2026 edition welcomed more than 18,000 runners overall, including a record 5,650 marathon participants, and the event continues to position itself as Belgium’s main spring marathon. Both the marathon and half marathon start and finish at Sport Vlaanderen Gent (Topsporthal), giving the race a clear stadium-style focal point before it sends runners out into the city.

What makes Gent Marathon especially memorable is the route design. The official course maps show a city-spanning layout that moves from the Watersportbaan area into central Ghent, threads past historic landmarks such as the Belfry, St Nicholas’ Church and St Jacob’s Church, and then stretches out along the Leie and Scheldt corridors before returning to the finish. It gives runners more than a fast urban loop: it feels like a broad, moving portrait of Ghent, balancing medieval scenery, river sections, open roads and modern city edges in a single race experience.

The event also stands out for how professionally it is staged. The races are officially measured by World Athletics, pacers are provided for multiple target times, refreshment stations are placed throughout both distances, and finish-area touches like live results, medal engraving and a PR bell help make the day feel polished from start to finish. That combination of heritage backdrop and modern organization is what gives Gent Marathon its appeal: it is a race for runners who want atmosphere and landmark scenery, but also a structure that supports serious goals.