Leuven Marathon 2027: Guide to the Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K (11 April)

Leuven is one of Europe’s newest big-city running events, and it arrived fully formed. In 2025 the Belgian university city co-hosted the first European Running Championships, drawing 28,000 runners from 84 countries and around 160,000 supporters. A year later, that energy became the Leuven Marathon — and nearly 18,000 runners turned up for the first edition.

The second Leuven Marathon takes place on Sunday 11 April 2027, with three distances: the marathon, the half marathon and a 10K. All three run through Leuven’s historic centre, past the Grote Markt and the university, and all three meet the Keizersberg, the hill that decides the race.

Here’s everything you need to know about each distance.

Leuven Marathon 2027: Race Overview

Race Date: Sunday 11 April 2027 (2nd edition)
Location: Leuven, Belgium — about 25 minutes by train from Brussels
Distances: Marathon (42.195km), half marathon (21.1km), 10K
Start/Finish: Near Parkpoort and the Sportoase on Leuven’s ring road — the same area used for the 2025 European Running Championships
Elevation Gain: Marathon 243m; half marathon 83m; 10K 69m
2026 Field: Nearly 18,000 runners across all three distances
Organiser: Golazo

The Three Distances at a Glance

Start times are from 2026 and may change for 2027 — check the official schedule before you plan your race morning.

Why Run Leuven?

A Championship Legacy

Leuven’s course is built on the 2025 European Running Championships, where Jimmy Gressier won the half marathon in 59:45 and the marathon finished in the historic centre. The start and finish area is the same, and the organisers have kept the recipe: big crowds, music and a championship-quality setup.

The Atmosphere

In 2026, runners described crowds along at least 35km of the marathon route, with DJs, live acts and thousands of supporters. For a race in its first edition, it was one of the most praised atmospheres in Belgian running.

A Beautiful University City

Leuven is home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, and the course passes its finest buildings: City Hall and St Peter’s Church on the Grote Markt, Ladeuzeplein and the University Library. It’s also the home of AB InBev, whose headquarters the 10K passes along the canal — Leuven is a beer city, and the post-race celebrations reflect it.

Easy to Reach

Leuven is about 25 minutes by train from Brussels and a short train ride from Brussels Airport. For runners across Europe, it’s one of the easiest destination races to get to.

The Marathon

The Leuven Marathon is a varied course: in the organisers’ words, two city loops, a green loop and a flat loop.

The City Loop

The race starts near Parkpoort and heads toward the Grote Markt via Parkstraat and Naamsestraat, past City Hall and St Peter’s Church. The historic streets are narrow in places, so expect a busy start.

The Green Loop: Heverleebos (km 14-21)

Between roughly 14km and 21km, the marathon runs through the Heverleebos, part of the Brabantse Wouden National Park, on wide gravel paths. It’s a beautiful and unusual section for a city marathon — and a different surface. Road shoes are fine, but expect the pace to feel a little harder on gravel.

The Second Half

After the forest, the course returns to the city via Vaartstraat and Bondgenotenlaan, past Ladeuzeplein and the University Library, then heads out via Naamsepoort and the ring road, passing the start area around 25km before returning to the Grote Markt.

The Flat Loop Along the Vaart

The late kilometres run along the Vaart, Leuven’s canal, toward Wijgmaal — long, flat, straight stretches. Around 38km the route turns back to the centre for the finish.

Strategy: With 243m of climbing, Leuven isn’t a pure PB course. Run the early city loop and the Keizersberg by effort, stay patient through the forest, and save your energy for the flat canal section, where you can make up time.

The Half Marathon

The half marathon is the fastest of the three distances — and the most unusual, because in 2026 it started in the afternoon, at 14:15.

The First 4km

The half shares its first 4km with the marathon and 10K, through the city centre.

The Keizersberg

Next comes the Keizersberg — the climb that the organisers call the decisive moment on every distance. It’s short, but it comes early, and it’s easy to overcook.

The Fast Canal Section

After the Keizersberg, the course descends via Wilsele to the Vaart and follows a flat, fast northern loop via Herent and Wijgmaal — the same fast section used at the 2025 European Championships. This is where the half becomes a PB course.

The Finish

Around 18km, the route heads back to the centre via Vaartstraat and runs straight down Bondgenotenlaan toward the station, then passes Ladeuzeplein and the University Library before the finish.

2026 winners: Kobe Hermans won the men’s race in 1:06:51 and Kim Geypen the women’s in 1:17:50.

Strategy: Hold back on the Keizersberg and attack the canal section. With only 83m of climbing, a well-paced runner can run close to their flat-course PB.

Racing in the Afternoon

An afternoon start changes your race-day routine. Eat a proper breakfast, then a light lunch about three hours before the start. Stay off your feet in the morning, and practise an afternoon long run or two in training so your body knows what to expect.

The 10K

The 10K covers the first part of the marathon course: the city centre, the Keizersberg, Wilsele and the Vaart — passing the AB InBev headquarters — then Vaartstraat, Bondgenotenlaan, Ladeuzeplein and the University Library, with a straight run to the finish.

With 69m of climbing, it’s a fair test rather than a pure PB course, but it’s a great introduction to Leuven and an ideal race for friends and family who aren’t running the longer distances.

2026 winners: Ward D’Hoore won the men’s race in 30:16 and Lotte Vandekerckhove the women’s in 35:12.

Racing Leuven Well

1. Respect the Keizersberg

It’s the defining climb on every distance. Run it by effort, not pace, and don’t try to win time back immediately on the descent.

2. Pace for the Course, Not Your Watch

Narrow historic streets, a hill and, for marathoners, a gravel forest section all slow the pace. Set a goal that allows for that.

3. Use the Canal

The flat Vaart sections are where you can run fast on every distance. Save something for them.

4. Check the Weather

April in Belgium is usually cool, but it can be wet, windy or surprisingly warm. Check the forecast and dress accordingly.

Entry and Logistics

• Registration: In 2026, registration stayed open online until the day before the race, as long as places remained for each distance. Popular distances can fill up, so enter early for 2027.
• Entry fees: Third-party listings show around €115 for the marathon; check the official site for 2027 pricing for each distance.
• Bib pickup and expo: In 2026, bibs were collected at the Sportoase on the Friday, Saturday and race day.
• Getting there: Leuven is easy to reach by train from Brussels and Brussels Airport.
• Accommodation: Leuven is small, so book early — or stay in Brussels and take the train.

How to Prepare

Marathon

For an 11 April race, a 16-18 week block starts in mid-December — a winter build. Include hill sessions for the Keizersberg, some long runs on gravel or trail for the Heverleebos section, and marathon-pace work on flat roads for the canal.

Half Marathon

A 10-12 week block starts in late January. Include short hill repeats for the Keizersberg and long, steady threshold runs on flat roads for the canal section. Practise at least one afternoon long run.

10K

An 8-week block starting in mid-February is enough for most runners. Mix intervals, threshold runs and short hills.

After the Race

Take time to enjoy Leuven: the Grote Markt, the Oude Markt with its bars, and the university buildings. Then rest, eat and recover before returning to training.

Log It While It’s Fresh

Write down your time, splits, the weather and how you handled the Keizersberg — and, for marathoners, how the gravel forest section felt. If you come back to run a different distance next year, you’ll want to compare.

Is Leuven Right for You?

It’s Great If You:

• Want a spring race with championship atmosphere
• Like varied courses with history, nature and a fast canal section
• Want a choice of distances for you and your friends
• Are looking for an easy-to-reach European destination race

Consider Other Options If You:

• Need a completely flat marathon for a PB
• Don’t want any gravel sections
• Prefer a morning start for the half marathon

Final Thoughts: Leuven Marathon 2027

Leuven has quickly become one of Belgium’s best running events: a championship course, huge crowds, a beautiful city and three distances to choose from. The marathon offers variety, the half marathon offers speed after the Keizersberg, and the 10K is a great introduction to the city.

Whichever you choose, respect the Keizersberg, save something for the canal, and enjoy one of Europe’s most atmospheric spring races on 11 April 2027.

Running Leuven in 2027, or did you race the first edition? Share your experience on Instagram or Threads!