Brussels Marathon

How do we identify great capitals? By their size, by their head count, by their tourists, by the international institutions and the governmental organisations that are based there? Of course. But also, and some will say especially, by their marathons! Brussels therefore forms part of the closed circle of the Marathon capitals with London, New York, Boston, Paris and Berlin.

From the Cinquantenaire to the Grand' Place, the Brussels Marathon will delight road race enthusiasts by a course that is certainly attractive, but nevertheless demanding, traversing the municipalities of Watermael-Boitsfort, Auderghem, Woluwé-Saint-Pierre, Tervuren, Etterbeek and downtown Brussels.

Jogger Friends

On Sunday, 4 October 2009, the bravest athletes and the sharpest will set off on their 42.19km "pilgrimage" at 9 o'clock in the morning. The first sixteen kilometres are furiously reminiscent of the route of the very popular Brussels 20km. At the foot of the Avenue de Tervuren footbridge, the pack will fork towards the Flemish-speaking locality of the same name. About-turn opposite the Africa Museum, and back towards Brussels via the terrible imperceptible incline that will bring the joggers towards the Ring and the no less terrible uphill part of Avenue de Tervuren. Back in the Parc du Cinquantenaire, be sure to thank the Queen of England, who offers you 2.195km of triumph towards most beautiful city square in the world. Ain't life grand?

Families have not been forgotten, since the organiser has set up a pretty enticing programme for you while you wait, with a 1000-metre race reserved for children, plus a 5km one and then a half marathon. The latter follows a large part of the Brussels 20km course. A unique opportunity for getting your own back!

Finally, to help you with your preparation, a famous equipment supplier has set up some training-oriented software that's really impressive: http://www.myasics.com/.

Spectator Friends

The opportunity to see the fastest runners or to spot your nearest and dearest among the mass is not wanting on the course. Although accompaniment by bike is forbidden for safety reasons, you can use one of them, or the public transport system, to get to the hot spots of the race.

By Public Transport

From the start at the Cinquantenaire, via Montgomery, the tram will take you to the Bois de la Cambre in less than half-an-hour. Where you can sit in the shade of the wood, or at its exit, before taking the tram again in the opposite direction. Back at Montgom', Tram 44 will take you along the course, towards Tervuren (More informations? Click here). Depending on your luck with the connections and the speed of your nearest and dearest, you will be able to get off the tram at the Mellaerts Ponds (after 16km of the race) in order to see your hero of the hour once again. At the Tervuren terminus, repeat performance, you embark in the other direction passing the pack of runners... Before returning to Montgomery (with a pause always possible on the uphill Avenue de Tervuren) before taking the underground to the arrival site on the Grand'Place.

By Bike

Heed only your courage, get on your bike, and devise your route yourself, not forgetting that two-wheelers are forbidden on the course. Of particularly interest: the Bois de la Cambre, the cycle lanes of Boulevard du Souverain and Avenue de Tervuren and the paths for crossing the Forêt de Soignes on the way to the Africa Museum.Frédéric Solvel