Rode Lopers Marathon Roeselare: Course, Route Profile & Map

Course & Elevation

From the Polenplein the course runs through the Sterrebos and past the AZ Delta hospital east to Wallemote park and De Plataan. It then follows the Roeselare–Leie canal on the towpath to Ingelmunster, where it touches the castle park; around km 17, at about 11 m, is also the lowest point. Via Het Veld and the Ardo path it heads north and back into town through the Rhodesgoed.

The profile moves only between about 11 and 31 m. The roughly 155 m of ascent come in long, barely noticeable waves; the longest rise climbs gently out of the canal lowland to about km 26. There are no steep ramps.

The appeal lies in the variety: town streets, parks, canal paths and the West Flanders countryside, with aid about every five kilometres and every three from km 36. Mid-May can be mild to warm, and the open stretches along the canal and between villages are often windy.

Pacing Strategy

On a marathon this flat, even pacing matters more than knowing the course. Run the first half to the Doelstraat checkpoint at goal pace on purpose, and use the pacer groups rather than speeding up on the canal towpath.

The decisive section runs from km 21 to 32: the course rises gently out of the canal lowland to about km 26, crosses open country and is often windy. Keep the effort constant here and let the pace slip slightly rather than fighting wind and gradient.

The trap is a fast start in town and along the canal, where the field is dense and the legs are fresh. Anyone with reserves at km 32 can push through the last ten kilometres via the Rhodesgoed back to the Polenplein, with extra aid every three kilometres.

Training plan for Rode Lopers Marathon Roeselare: 12-week build

For most age-group runners the Roeselare marathon takes between about 3:15 and 5 hours – a long aerobic effort in which fuelling and pace judgement matter more than strength on hills.

The core of the build is long runs of up to 30 to 35 kilometres on flat terrain, finishing at planned marathon pace. Add marathon-pace blocks of 10 to 16 kilometres and one threshold session a week.

The open, often windy section after km 21 decides the race. In long runs, practise running headwind stretches by effort rather than by the watch, and rehearse your fuelling, since water, sports drink and solid food come every five kilometres up to km 36.

The build runs from February to May. Expect mild to warm weather on race day and do some long runs in warmer hours to practise drinking on the move.