11 September 2021. That is the date when lovers of long-distance running will appear at the start of the long-awaited first edition of the Port of Antwerp Night Marathon. One year later than hoped, but undoubtedly with more enthusiasm than ever. The date had already been announced, but from now on you can also sign up!
101 years to the day after the closing of the Olympic Summer Games in Antwerp, the City of Antwerp is hosting a new top-level sports event. When day becomes night, the participants of the Port of Antwerp Night Marathon will run into the night and follow a course mapped out in the inner city of Antwerp. An unusual feeling. To top it all, the harbour lights, cafés and beer gardens, in combination with rock bands and DJs (at every kilometre!) will create a unique atmosphere. There are over 2,000 marathons in the world, only a handful of them can be run in the dark and an even smaller number involve running from daylight into darkness.
From now on you can sign up online for the Port of Antwerp Night Marathon. In addition to the marathon, the programme also features a half marathon and relay marathon. “We can tell that there is a fierce hunger for physical events among our participants”, says Greg Broekmans of organiser Golazo. “By opening registration now, we the organisers offer the running community a long-term view. It is a welcome first concrete appointment after the summer holidays, when the vaccination campaign will be at an advanced stage so society will have opened up a lot more by then.”
DE WEVER: “BOOST FOR THE CITY”
Mayor Bart De Wever is already very excited about Saturday 11th September: “Antwerp is eager to finally be able to sound the starting shot for its own marathon. Last year’s virtual edition was a good warm-up act, but there is nothing that can beat an actual, fully-fledged event run with spectators. The Port of Antwerp Night Marathon will give an enormous boost to the sporting and international image of our city. I am already very much looking forward to taking part myself.”
PROGRAMME
Friday 10 September
– 4-8pm: Opening expo and collection race pack
Saturday 11 September
– 10am : Opening expo and collection race pack
– 6:30pm : Start Port of Antwerp Night Half Marathon
– 7pm : Start Port of Antwerp Night Marathon & Port of Antwerp Night Marathon Relay
– 1am : Arrival last finisher
