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May 4, 2024

Brussels Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Brussels Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.9

Organization 3.7

Spectators 2.6

Number of comments: 37 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

René Ghosh from Paris, France (10/8/2009) "Pretty course with a 5-hour time limit" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Brussels Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I couldn't say how the crowd support is because I started the race 12 minutes late and basically ran it all by my lonesome. The organization was great, and the volunteers are very helpful. It was a pretty course, albeit a hilly one. There's a long out-and-back loop that's encouraging because you see the elite runners muscling back from Tervuren at unreal speeds. Running in the forest of tall trees is a plus, as is circling the Tervuren Lake. I was caught off-guard by the 5-hour time limit. I expected to run in sub-four hours and ran it in 4:49, which, coupled with my 12-minute delay at the start, put me right into the time limit situation. You can run the race in six hours, but the streets are open to cars after five, so if you go over the limit, you have to run on the sidewalk and wait for traffic lights just like pedestrians.
R. P. from Belgium (5/22/2009) "Green City Marathon" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Brussels Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Great (though hilly) course along the nicest parts of Brussels. A lot of beautiful green areas, but unfortunately the weather was very Belgian. It didn't stop raining for 1 second! Organization during the race was perfect, but before and after, there's certainly room for improvement.
D. F. from Oostende, Belgium (12/7/2008) "First European marathon... not impressed!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Brussels Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my 46th marathon, but first one run in Europe. I was less than impressed right from the "expo" (even though the course was nice and quite challenging). The expo consisted of a few tables with running shoes and a spattering of pamphlets from other upcoming marathons. I may have spent a total of five minutes at the expo only because I was in a small line to pick up my number. The course is set up well, with markers every kilometer, and the aid stations offer plenty of water and sports drinks, although I stayed away from the sports drinks after the first two aid stations because they were too sweet for my taste. The finish line was less than spectacular. Finishing in La Grande Plaza was nice, but making turns on wet cobblestone roads into a cramped finish line area (I didn't even recognize the line!) had me being careful not to sustain an injury instead of enjoying the finish. The clothing pick-up area was located about a mile from the finish line, which dampened my spirits and left me very cold in rain - 20-30 mph winds and temps in the low- to mid-40's (same conditions throughout the marathon). Water and sports drinks were available at the finish, but there was an absence of food. Overall, the finish line was the poorest part of the organization. The start line was nice and the race director did a good job to get the race started on time in less than favorable conditions. I'm a little disappointed with this being my first European marathon, but in the next two years living abroad, I hope that perspective is changed as I participate in others... like Paris in April 2009 as my next one.
J. B. from Miami, Florida (10/7/2008) "Scenic and challenging" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Brussels Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The ING Brussels Marathon is a very well organized marathon. In 2008 we had about 1,200 marathon finishers and 4,500 half marathoners. The marathon starts at 9 a.m., while the half marathon starts at 10:30 a.m. At KM 36, the marathoners join the half marathoners and run together all the way to La Grand Place in downtown Brussels. In 2008 we were not lucky with the weather. It was about 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit (8-12 degrees Celsius), windy, and it rained all the way. Despite this, I had such a good time and enjoyed the course. The course is very scenic. You run through the center of the city, some residential areas, some parks and woods. The course is challenging, as it consists of many inclines and downhills. There course also consists of a few cobblestone streets, but I didn't feel much of a difference. The race support was great. The water and juice (energy drink) were provided in bottles. I think it is easier to drink from a bottle than from cups while running (however, it's a huge waste of water, since I only need 3-5 sips every 2-3 KM - not a full bottle). At some point in the race, I even had a guy in a bicycle come next to me and handing a water while I ran. Some bananas are offered throughout the course. The crowd support is limited since we run through residential areas and parks. The weather in 2008 didn't help either. You will encounter some minimal crowd supports in a few areas, but mainly at the finishing area. Since it was cold when I finished, it felt good to be able to take a shower. We did have to walk a kilometer, but I usually like to walk after running a marathon. At the finish line there was a bunch of drinks (water, juice and energy drinks), but I didn't find much food. I am usually hungry after a marathon, but my relatives waited for me at the finish line and we went to a restaurant afterward. From a US perspective, I would say this marathon is NOT for beginners. The field in Brussels is much faster than in the US. You will feel very lonely if you complete a marathon in over four and a half hours. The streets open behind a five-hour-marathoner pace and the finish area closes after six hours. After I took my shower, I passed by the finishing area, and even though it was the 4:30 marathoners coming, the finish area really felt lonely. Very few runners come after 4:30. Also, a difference between the US and Brussels is the demographics of the field. Usually in the US we have about 60% males and 40% female. In Brussels you'll have about 90-95% males and 5-10% females. I saw more women in the half-marathon, but nowhere as many in proportion as in the US. You can even see the difference between the male winner (2:11 in 2007 and 2:19 in 2008) to the female winner (3:13 in 2007 and 3:15 in 2008), a relatively slow time for a female winner and huge gap between the male and female winner in a major city marathon (Brussels may not be Paris or London, but it is still the headquarter of the EU and NATO). I do speak French, but if you don't, and you don't speak Dutch either, there is no need to worry; most people speak English. I would recommend this course for marathoners who can comfortably run a marathon in at least five hours.
Andy Walker from Guernsey (11/6/2007) "FANTASTIC COURSE" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Brussels Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 One of the best courses I have run. No boring sections; very scenic; but it is demanding, very up and down with a quad killer descent at finish at the beautiful Grand Place. It takes in alot of Brussels eastern side which has many tree filled parks. Fab start, but take care of some street furniture. Not a huge marathon so no problem with congestion, but not too small that you can become isolated. A half starts 1 1/2 hours after marathon and merges with about 6k to go so you can use these runners to drag yourself along if tiring. At start the airplane part of a military museum open so could chill out and get ready there which was novel. Well marshaled, traffic free, and enough stuff at feed stations. Not very expensive to enter, but then there is no pasta party and minimal goodies (though you get a little rucksack). Expo also minimal, so stock up with what you need prior to trip. Support poor for Europe`s `capital`. Also I`m glad I didn`t bother with a bag to pick up(I rarely do) as pick up was a long way away from finish. An excellent autumn city marathon, but not for a beginner.
S. L. from Yorkshire England (11/3/2007) "Great scenic course!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Brussels Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, and having lived in Brussels years ago, I thought it would be fun to run this one. It was fun, but it was a little disappointing that the marshals took the KM signs down before everyone had finished the race - they were the things keeping me going, so from 36 KM on, I was guessing. I finished thanks to the race finishers who were on their way back to cheer me on and support me - so thanks to all of them. Although I had fun, I would not recommend this race to anyone wishing to run with crowds of other runners for atmosphere, or if you are intending on taking longer than 4 and half hours - the support from the organizers around the route is just not there. But a very pretty route.
Juan Luis Canales from Spain (11/2/2007) "Great course but..." (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Brussels Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 It was in general a great course inside the city, but the problem appeared when we finished.: we had to walk more than one KM to get our bags, and after getting there, we had to wait, standing up, for more than one hour to get the bag!!! Great course, but the organization could be much improved.
J. R. from Brussels (10/16/2007) "Great course and pacers; no support" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Brussels Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Beautiful day (sunny but not very warm) and great course; TV cameras everywhere; very nice atmosphere; the expo was very well prepared; and the staff could speak any language (typical for Belgium). I followed the 4-hour pacer (a real professional, he did not miss one split). The course is a bit challenging (full of little hills but very scenic); the organization is wonderful; the water stations were always full and clean; and you don´t have to cross angry drivers in the crossroads; because the diversions for the traffic are foreseen well in advance. The only negative point: maybe the lack of spectators. Overall, a very nice marathon.
Keith Ryan from Brussels (10/29/2006) "Great course, small field, no support" (about: 2006) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Brussels Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was first marathon. I live in Brussels, so I knew what to expect of the course. I think in terms of scenery it is pretty good but it is quite challenging, as there are several long, steady climbs. I think the race itself was very well organized. The number of drinks stations for 1,000 people was unbelievable! The marshaling was good too. Some things were less good: The baggage claim was in a stupid place, the expo was totally pointless, and the medal is the same cheap rubbish that you get for doing any of the other ING Belgian races (typically 5K to 10 miles only!). But these are minor details. This is a good race to do but only if you don't mind a small field and no support. I'd say it's a small marathon with a big-city marathon organization and budget. One last warning: We were lucky with the autumnal, cool weather this year, but obviously it could easily go the other way.
G. C. from Germany (8/30/2006) "Beautiful city and fun run!" (about: 2006) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first race and I ran the half marathon. It was a small race with fewer than 2,000 runners - perfect for a first-timer. Overall I thought it was well organized. Abundant fuel stations but absolutely no porta-potties on the route... good thing the course had plenty of bushes along the way. There were some looooong hills that will challenge you. The finish area was a little bizarre. They cover the last 200 meters with bright orange (ING Bank) carpet. It not only shocks your eyes, but it also covers up the cobblestones and add some risk to the final sprint. The finish in the beautiful Grand Place was well supported with fans and a great place to end a run and reward yourself with some Belgian chocolate, waffles, beer, chips.... I would definitely run this again!

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