Course
Welcome to the Leuven Marathon courses!
Discover everything you need to know about the routes of the Leuven Marathon, Half Marathon and 10 KM. From historic cityscapes to green kilometres: each distance offers a unique running experience in and around Leuven. The GPX files for each distance will be made available no later than one week before the event.
Marathon (42,195 km) | elevation: 243m
After a short passage along the finish area, you cross the ring road near Parkpoort towards Naamsepoort. From here, you explore the green southern part of Leuven: the Heverleebos, part of the National Park Brabantse Wouden. Between kilometres 14 and 21, you enjoy wide avenues and high-quality forest paths.
Via Vaartstraat you reach the Bondgenotenlaan, a long, straight boulevard towards the railway station. With passages over Ladeuzeplein and past the iconic University Library of Leuven, you head back to the ring road.
After a short passage along the finish area, you cross the ring road near Parkpoort towards Naamsepoort. From here, you explore the green southern part of Leuven: the Heverleebos, part of the National Park Brabantse Wouden. Between kilometres 14 and 21, you enjoy wide avenues and high-quality forest paths.
In the second half, you return via Naamsepoort and the outer ring road. Around kilometre 25, you pass the start area again and dive back into Parkstraat. After a second passage over the Grote Markt, you turn right just before the Keizersberg towards the Vaart. Long, flat kilometres with few turns follow here, perfect to push on beyond the legendary 30 km mark.
Around kilometre 38, you return to the city centre and follow the same final kilometres as in the first part. You finish the 42,195th metre at Sportoase, exactly where the European champions finished in 2025. Here, you officially become one of the champions of the Leuven Marathon.
The displayed course is subject to change.
Half Marathon (21,097 km) | elevation: 83m
The Leuven Half Marathon builds on a proven recipe for success. The course runs through the heart of Leuven, with start and finish at Sportoase, in a layout similar to the European Running Championships 2025.
The first 4 kilometres are shared with the 10 km and marathon: via Parkstraat and Naamsestraat towards the Grote Markt, passing the City Hall and St Peter’s Church. You then continue through the centre towards the Keizersberg, the early challenge of the course.
After the descent, you run via Wilsele towards the Vaart. From here, the course diverges from the other distances. The canal sets the scene for a series of fast, flat kilometres with few turns—ideal to find and maintain your rhythm.
Around kilometre 18, you head back towards the city centre. Via Vaartstraat, you reach Bondgenotenlaan again and run in one straight line towards the station. With passages over Ladeuzeplein and past the University Library, you head towards the ring road and the finish.
The 21,097.5 metres end at Sportoase, at exactly the same location as the European Running Championships 2025, the place where you receive your half marathon finisher medal.
The displayed course is subject to change.
10 KM | elevation: 69m
The Leuven 10 KM follows the entire first part of the marathon course.
You start on the ring road at Sportoase and run via Parkstraat and Naamsestraat towards the Grote Markt. Passing the City Hall and St Peter’s Church, you dive into the city centre, followed by the Keizersberg, a short but demanding test.
After the descent, you head via Wilsele to the Vaart and past the AB InBev headquarters. Via Vaartstraat and Bondgenotenlaan, you run towards the station, with atmospheric passages over Ladeuzeplein and past the University Library.
From there, it is a straight run to the finish at Sportoase.
You cross the 10,000th metre at the same iconic location as during the European Running Championships 2025, where you complete your Leuven adventure as a finisher, and a champion.
The displayed course is subject to change.
