Baloise Namur Marathon.
The Baloise Namur Marathon runs down the Meuse: a start at Wépion on the slopes south of the city, then downstream to Namur and a finish on the Avenue Sergent Vrithoff. A point-to-point course in the valley, 82 percent of it flat, with one short ramp at kilometre 18 – Wallonia's biggest spring marathon and one of the flattest courses in Belgium.
Baloise Namur Marathon 2027: Course, Route Profile & Map
The start is at Wépion, the strawberry village on the Meuse south of Namur. The course follows the river through the narrow Meuse valley, where the rock walls stand on both sides while the road itself barely climbs: the whole route sits between 75 and 93 metres above sea level.
At roughly halfway you reach Profondeville, where the half marathon starts – the long course's turning point. Shortly after, at kilometre 18.4, comes the only classified climb of the race: 330 metres at seven percent, touching almost twelve at its steepest. On a course whose profile is otherwise a line, that is a genuine interruption.
The rest is river running back into Namur, the Walloon capital at the confluence of the Meuse and the Sambre, under its Citadelle. The finish is on the Avenue Sergent Vrithoff, where the half marathon and the 10K also come in. The marathon is part of a weekend with a Saturday programme, and the race supports KickCancer, for which the 10 km is named.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 18.4 | 0.3 km | 7.1 % | 11.9 % | +23 m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Baloise Namur Marathon.
Start under control
A marathon with 135 metres of climbing and 82 percent flat ground is run on even splits – nothing here structures your pace for you. Set your goal pace before the start and hold it two or three seconds under for the first ten kilometres; the opening out of Wépion rolls easily, and that is the temptation.
Hold your rhythm
The only real interruption is the ramp at kilometre 18.4. At 330 metres it is short, but it comes exactly where a marathon starts to bite, and on an otherwise flat course a twelve-percent pitch feels twice as steep. Run it on effort and accept the ten or fifteen seconds it costs.
Spend what is left
The race is decided in the final third down the Meuse valley. It is flat, straight and thin on spectators for long stretches, and the valley channels the wind – into a headwind you will run many kilometres with no shelter. Find a group, keep fuelling to a rhythm, and save something for the closing kilometres in Namur, where the crowds thicken again.
Training plan for Baloise Namur Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
As an age-group runner you will be out for three to five hours. The effort is one continuous aerobic run with a single short spike; on a point-to-point course in a river valley there are no climbs to unload the muscles and no descents to change your stride.
Train race pace
The race is decided over kilometres 30 to 42 in the open valley, where neither terrain nor crowds contribute anything and the wind is the real opponent. The ramp at kilometre 18 is a detail by comparison – but a detail you need some strength for if your training has been entirely flat.
Rehearse the course
So the emphasis is marathon-pace volume: long runs of 28 to 34 kilometres with 12 to 20 at goal pace in the back half, plus a weekly threshold run of 20 to 40 minutes. Do at least two long runs on a flat, wind-exposed riverside route, and add a few short hill efforts of 300 to 400 metres at six to eight percent, entered at race pace.
Arrive fresh
Early April on the Meuse usually brings eight to 15 degrees, changeable weather and wind in the valley. The start is on a Sunday morning, in the cool part of the day, with a transfer out to Wépion beforehand – plan for the waiting time in the cold, keep a throwaway layer, and test wet-weather kit under pace in advance.
Courses
Download the Baloise Namur Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Baloise Namur Marathon dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Baloise Namur Marathon.
How long is Baloise Namur Marathon?
Baloise Namur Marathon is 42.2 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Baloise Namur Marathon have?
Baloise Namur Marathon has around 135 m of elevation gain over 42.2 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Baloise Namur Marathon?
Baloise Namur Marathon is classified as Flat, averaging 3.2 vertical metres per kilometre. 82% of the route is flat, 8% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 0% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Baloise Namur Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Baloise Namur Marathon starts at kilometre 18.4, runs for 0.3 km at an average of 7.1% and gains 23 metres.
Is Baloise Namur Marathon a loop course?
No, Baloise Namur Marathon is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Baloise Namur Marathon course?
Yes. The Baloise Namur Marathon course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Baloise Namur Marathon?
Preparation for Baloise Namur Marathon should account for 42.2 km, 135 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Baloise Namur Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Baloise Namur Marathon should reflect 42.2 km, 135 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Baloise Namur Marathon take place?
Baloise Namur Marathon takes place on April 4, 2027.
Where does Baloise Namur Marathon take place?
Baloise Namur Marathon takes place in Namur, Belgium.
Which distances does Baloise Namur Marathon offer?
Baloise Namur Marathon offers 3 distances — Marathon: 42.2 km; Half Marathon: 21.1 km; 10K KickCancer: 10 km.
How do I register for Baloise Namur Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: baloisenamurmarathon.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
