Gent Marathon
GhentBelgium
Next race
Sunday, 21 March 2027
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Historic urban road
Elevation
Flat · 50 m gain
50 m climbing
Race profile
Overview
The Gent Marathon (Ghent Marathon) draws about 4,500 finishers each October through Flanders' medieval university city. The course passes the Gravensteen castle, the Graslei waterfront, and the Saint Bavo's Cathedral on flat Scheldt valley terrain. October autumn weather and cobblestone-free main roads make it Belgium's charming eastern marathon.
Gent Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
- Typical participants
Approximately 4,500 finishers
- Weather
Course & terrain
Gent Marathon course
Route map, elevation profile, and downloadable GPX for race-week planning.
The Gent Marathon is a loop that starts and finishes at the Citadelpark and passes Gravensteen, Graslei, Saint Bavo's Cathedral, and the Scheldt riverfront. The course is very flat through the lowlands, and spectators line the Citadelpark start-finish area and cheer through Graslei and the medieval centre.
Gent Marathon route map
The Gent Marathon course is flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
- Elevation
Gent Marathon GPX file
Download the Gent Marathon GPX file
Marathon Focus' proprietary GPX processing removes duplicate points, adds elevation data, and formats the file so you get a cleaner, more reliable route to load into your Garmin, Coros, or Apple Watch fitness watch.
Registration
Gent Marathon entry requirements
The Gent Marathon uses open registration at soficogentmarathon.com/en/ with no ballot or qualifying standard. Sign-up for the March race typically opens early in the year. The flat Flemish course through Ghent's historic centre can fill before race day given strong Belgian club-runner demand.
Getting there
Gent Marathon travel
Airports closest to Ghent for flight planning and race-week travel.
- Best for most flights
Zaventem (BRU)
Brussels Airport
56 km / 35 mi
- Closest airport
Antwerp (ANR)
Antwerp International Airport (Deurne)
54 km / 34 mi
- Also nearby
Oostende (OST)
Ostend-Bruges International Airport
61 km / 38 mi
- Also nearby
Lesquin (LIL)
Lille Airport
69 km / 43 mi
Race footage
Gent Marathon videos
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Gent-Wevelgem 2015 Highlights
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Gent Marathon elevation profile?
- The Gent Marathon has 50 metres of total climbing and 50 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is flat, with 0 metres of net change from start to finish.
- Where can I find the Gent Marathon route map?
- This page includes a Gent Marathon course map showing the full 42.195 km route from start to finish. Passes the Gravensteen castle, Graslei, Saint Bavo's Cathedral, and the Scheldt riverfront.
- How long is the Gent Marathon?
- The Gent Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Historic course starting and finishing at the Citadelpark.
- What time does the Gent Marathon start?
- The 2027 Gent Marathon starts at 9:00 am local time on Sunday, 21 March 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
- Where does the Ghent Marathon finish?
- The finish is at Citadelpark in central Ghent.
- Does the Ghent Marathon pass the castle?
- Yes. The Gravensteen medieval castle is a course highlight.
- When is the Gent Marathon?
- The race is held in October.
- Is the Ghent Marathon flat?
- Yes. Ghent sits on the flat Scheldt valley floor.
- What landmarks does the Ghent course pass?
- Runners pass Gravensteen, Graslei, Saint Bavo's Cathedral, and the Scheldt waterfront.
Official resources
Gent Marathon links
Websites
Social Media
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Nearby Marathons
Other races closest to Ghent.
RotterdamSouth HollandNetherlands· 110 km away
Rotterdam Marathon
The Rotterdam Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 16k finishers on an urban road in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The course starts and finishes on the Coolsingel in the city centre. One of Europe's fastest courses, with only minor bridge gradients.
Next race: Sunday, 11 April 2027
EindhovenNorth BrabantNetherlands· 130 km away
Marathon Eindhoven
The Marathon Eindhoven attracts about 3,000 finishers each October on one of the Netherlands' fastest courses. The flat loop through Brainport Eindhoven passes the Philips Stadium area, high-tech campus districts, and the city centre. October cool weather and dead-flat Dutch terrain make Eindhoven a popular personal-best attempt in the south of the Netherlands.
Next race: Sunday, 11 October 2026
LeidenSouth HollandNetherlands· 134 km away
Leiden Marathon
The Leiden Marathon draws about 3,500 finishers each March through the Netherlands' historic university city. The course passes the Pieterskerk, the canals where the Pilgrims once lived, and the Hortus Botanicus on flat Dutch roads. March spring weather and Rembrandt-city scenery make it a charming regional marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 28 March 2027
Planning guides
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