Belgium's biggest sporting event, the Brussels 20 km, is hitting the road this Sunday. Here is all the practical information you need to know regarding the route, traffic disruptions and changes to public transport on the day.
There have been a record-breaking 45,000 registrations for the 44th edition of the Brussels 20 km. Participants hail from more than 90 countries and 42% of those taking part are women – up by 3.5% since 2023.
Runners will set off at 10:00, those in wheelchairs at 09:30 and the walking category at 10:50. The race will begin at Parc du Cinquantenaire, running down Rue Belliard, going through Sablon, down Avenue Louise and cutting through Bois de la Cambre, where runners will hit the halfway mark.
The second leg goes along Chaussée de la Hulpe into Parc de Woluwe, and finally down Avenue de Tervuren to end up back at the top point of Parc du Cinquantenaire.
There are six water stations along the route as well as 14 First Aid tents staffed by 430 Red Cross volunteers (paramedics, nurses and doctors). Powerade drinks and reusable cups will be provided, and participants will also receive a medal (and a banana) upon crossing the finish line. The deadline to finish the race is five hours.
Traffic disruptions
The use of cars in Brussels is strongly discouraged from 09:00 to 16:30 on Sunday. The following roads will be closed from 08:30 due to the race: Rue Froissart, Rue Belliard, Boulevard de la Régence, Place Poelaert, Avenue Louise, Bois de la Cambre, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, Chaussée de la Hulpe, Boulevard du Souverain and Avenue de Tervuren.
Rue Belliard will reopen at around 12:00, Avenue Louise at around 13:00, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt at around 14:00, Boulevard du Souverain at around 15:00 and Avenue de Tervuren at around 16:00.
Anyone wishing to pass through the route is advised to do so at the following points: the Trône Tunnel, the Louise Tunnel, Place Stéphanie, Rue du Bailli, Chaussée de Vleurgat, the E411 and the Montgomery Tunnel. Drivers wishing to enter the city should do so via Chaussée de Louvain towards Madou, as the tunnels of the inner ring road will remain open.
No parking is permitted at any point on the route, and any vehicle in breach of this rule will be towed, the organisers warn.
Credit: Brussels Mobility
Public transport
Brussels public transport operator STIB has announced enhanced services on Sunday as well as disruptions to several bus and tram lines.
The frequency of metros on lines 1 and 5 will increase between 08:30 and 16:00 – there will be one every three minutes in both cases. Services on line 81 will also be reinforced between 08:00 and 18:00.
Disruptions will occur on tram line 7 between Buyl and Vanderkindere until 13:30, with replacement buses running between ULB and Vanderkindere. Tram line 8 will be disrupted between Legrand and Buyl until 13:30, and between Wiener and Tram Museum until 17:00.
Tram line 81 will only reach as far as Merode until 16:30 while lines 92 and 93 will cease services between Louise and Botanique until 13:00. Passengers can use metro lines 2 and 6 between these stops. Additionally, bus lines 12, 17, 21, 27, 33, 34, 38, 41, 54, 59, 60, 61, 64, 71, 72, 79, 80 and 95 may be affected by the event.
The race's starting point at Parc du Cinquantenaire can be reached using metro lines 1 and 5 and tram lines 7, 25 and 81.
