Even though the Leuven Marathon built on the tremendous success of last year’s European Running Championships, it proved to be a resounding success. Thanks to the 17,900 participants it exceeded expectations and again turned into a wonderful running celebration enjoyed by the entire city and the many supporters lining the route.
Conditions were perfect for running at 9 a.m. this morning at the start of the 10K and marathon. A glorious morning sun warmed the participants in the starting grids. There were 3,300 marathon runners lined up on Naamsevest, and later on they were joined by no fewer than 5,700 runners starting the 10K. That shortest distance kept to the city loop, which meant the winner of the 10K already crossed the finish after half an hour. Ward D’Hoore (30.16) won the sprint against Lode Van Tente (30.18). In the women’s race, Lotte Vandekerckhove was the fastest five minutes later (35.12).
The marathon course looped through the city but also took in the Vaart canal and crossed part of the Meerdael forest. Four top runners in the lead turned it into an exciting battle and stayed close to one another for a long time. With just under 4 kilometres to go, Leuven native Pieter Dewortelaer left his last companion, Milo Roggen, behind to finish in 2.26.23. Roggen followed a minute and a half later (2.27.58), and Tom Van Cappellen finished third. Hanna Vandenbussche – former Belgian marathon and half marathon champion – was the first woman to finish in 2.45.46, staying half a minute ahead of the number two, Ella Declercq. Karen Verrydt completed the podium.
As the last marathon runners crossed the finish line, the half marathon began a short distance away with 8,900 participants. In both the men’s and women’s races, the eventual winners quickly broke away from the pack. Kobe Hermans left Wout Lambreghts behind after around 5 kilometres and finished in a strong 1:06:51. Lambreghts held on to second place (1:10:10), whilst Gertjan Fannes won the sprint from a small group to finish third (1:12:09). In the women’s race, Kim Geypen led virtually from start to finish and won in 1:17:50. Heleen Vermeulen (1:21:37) and Martine Peeters joined her on the podium.
Alongside the top runners were the many thousands of others who mainly enjoyed their own performance and running through a city full of supporters. Those reaching the finish line praised the wonderful atmosphere along the route. Leuven turned out in droves to cheer on the runners. Particularly in the afternoon, there were crowds everywhere along the route, packed shoulder to shoulder on Keizersberg, but also in the supporter zones, at coffee bars and local pubs. They also saw numerous well-known Leuven residents pass by, including Wim De Vilder, Jimmy Dewit and former tennis star Yanina Wickmayer, who was clearly enjoying herself.
Leuven’s alderman for Sport, Christophe Stockman, also looks back with satisfaction: “The first edition of the Leuven Marathon was a resounding success: we saw nothing but happy faces at the finish line, enjoyed glorious sunshine and the warm enthusiasm of supporters all along the route. This definitely leaves us wanting more. The fact that two Leuven residents were crowned winners of the marathon was the absolute icing on the cake.”
The first edition of the Leuven Marathon exceeded all expectations and will therefore naturally be followed up next year. See you on Sunday 11 April.
