Runners guide EN_v01 by Gracias

RUNNERS’ GUIDE

WELCOME!

The moment you have been looking forward to for so long has finally come!

The Sofico Gent Marathon will take place on Sunday 30 March. This guide for runners gives you all the important info for your participation. Read the information carefully, it will help you to a carefree start.

This guide contains a lot of information, here are the 7 top facts to remember:

1. Avoid the crowds on the morning of the event and collect your bib number on Friday 28 March between 12:30 and 6:30 pm or on Saturday 29 March between 10 am and 5 pm.

2. Check the information about how to get to the event beforehand. If possible, come on foot or by bike.

3. On Sunday, come to the event on time and familiarise yourself with where the toilets, sports bag drop and start are.

4. Revel in the encouraging cheers of the many supporters along the course (and bring your own supporters).

5. Hold onto to empty packaging or throw waste in the bins located by the supply stations.

6. The course is only for runners. Accompanying cyclists are NOT allowed on the course.

7. Smile as you cross the finish, enjoy your moment!

To all runners, wheelers and supporters: Welcome in beautiful Ghent!

For years, Ghent has been known as a city for runners, and the Sofico Gent Marathon has become its crown jewel in record time. Thanks to 20,000 runners, it has become an international hit for the active people of Ghent, but certainly also for marathon tourists. You cannot dream of a prettier backdrop than the towers of Ghent, that has been my experience the 2 times I participated.

Councillor for Sport – Bram Van Braeckevelt

PROGRAMME

FRIDAY 28 MARCH

• 12:30 – 6:30 pm: Collect bib number and T-shirt (if ordered)

SATURDAY 29 MARCH

• 10 am – 5 pm: Collect bib number and T-shirt (if ordered)

SUNDAY 30 MARCH

• 7:30 am – 1:45 pm: Collect bib number and T-shirt (if ordered)

• 9 am: Start Marathon

• 1:30 pm: Start Half Marathon

• 5:15 pm: Close of finish

BEFORE THE RACE

AVOID THE CROWDS

COLLECT YOUR BIB NUMBER OR MAKE A CHANGE ON FRIDAY 28 MARCH BETWEEN

12:30 & 6:30 PM OR SATURDAY 29 MARCH

BETWEEN 10 AM & 5 PM!

HOW TO GET THERE

FRIDAY 28 MARCH & SATURDAY 29 MARCH

COLLECTION BIB NUMBER

We recommend that you collect your Sofico Gent Marathon bib number on Friday 28 or Saturday 29 March. Come on foot, by bike or public transport to collect your bib number from Sport Vlaanderen Gent (topsporthal). The parking spaces along the Watersportbaan will NOT be available on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 March. Please follow the instructions below to get to your destination smoothly.

On foot or by bike

It is easy to reach Sport Vlaanderen Gent (topsporthal) on foot or by bike. There will be plenty of bicycle parking by the Topsporthal. Navigate easily to the BICYCLE PARKING.

Public Transport

If you are coming by tram, bus or train, then Gent-Sint-Pieters is the place to be! Consult the NMBS and De Lijn route planners and plan your journey to Gent-Sint-Pieters.

The nearest bus stop is stop Gent Topsporthal Vlaanderen at 50 metres from the venue (buses 11 & 19). The nearest tram stops are stops Koning Albertbrug and Bernard Spaelaan, both 2 km from the venue (trams T1, T3 and T4).

By Car

The parking spaces along the Zuiderlaan are not available on 28 & 29 March. Car Park Centraal and Car Park Oost at Blaarmeersen are reserved for the collection of your bib number. Keep an eye on the road signs when you approach the car parks, they will guide you to the car parks via the best access route.

Visitors coming from the R4 are asked to drive to Parking Centraal.

Visitors coming from Europalaan, are asked to drive to Parking Oost.

NAVIGATE

SUNDAY 30 MARCH

Come on foot, by (share) bike, event shuttle or public transport to the start and finish of the Sofico Gent Marathon at Sport Vlaanderen Gent (topsporthal).

The car parks along the Watersportbaan and Parking Centraal & Oost are NOT accessible on Sunday 30 March.

We recommend that all participants and supporters follow the next instructions if they want to reach their destination smoothly.

HOW TO GET THERE

SUNDAY 30 MARCH – RACE DAY

On foot or by bike

It is easy to reach Sport Vlaanderen Gent (topsporthal) on foot or by bike. There will be plenty of bicycle parking by the Topsporthal.

Participants and supporters of the Sofico Gent Marathon are entitled to a 20% discount on the Donkey Republic share bikes, discount code: GENTMARATHON25.

Navigate easily to the BICYCLE PARKING.

Public Transport

If you are coming by tram, bus or train, then Gent-Sint-Pieters is the place to be!

Please note that many buses will be affected by the course. Please consult the NMBS and De Lijn route planners and plan your journey to Gent-Sint-Pieters.

Every 5 minutes a free shuttle bus will leave from bus platform 23 at the back of the station (Voskenslaan) which will take you to Sport Vlaanderen Gent (topsporthal). Runners will get priority at all times. There will be more shuttle buses at peak times.

*The bus stops close to Sport Vlaanderen Gent (topsporthal) and Blaarmeersen will not be in service on Sunday 30 March. Use the De Lijn route planner to check out the replacement schedule.

HOW TO GET THERE

SUNDAY 30 MARCH – RACE DAY

By Car

The Blaarmeersen car parks and parking spaces along the Zuiderlaan and Noorderlaan are not accessible on 30 March.

Marathon runners and supporters can park in the Gent-Sint-Pieters or Ikea car parks. Half marathon runners and supporters can park in the Gent-Sint-Pieters or The Loop car parks.

The 3 car parks can be reached from the R4 and are reduced in price owing to the (half) marathon and are only €10 for 8 hours of parking. Navigate to the car parks paying attention to the dynamic signposts when you approach the car park, they will always lead you to the best available parking

Free shuttle buses will take you from the various car parks to the event site.

Navigate to Gent Sint-Pieters car park using Waze or Google Maps.

Navigate to the Ikea car park using Waze or Google Maps.

Navigate to The Loop car park using Waze or Google Maps.

HOW TO GET THERE

SUNDAY 30 MARCH – RACE DAY

Kiss & ride

Due to the new start location, the Watersportbaan is not accessible to motorised traffic. If you are dropping people off or picking people up, use the Kiss & Ride at Gent-Sint-Pieters. There they can take the shuttle bus to Sport Vlaanderen Gent (topsporthal).

Event Shuttle

You can use the event shuttles again this year. The event shuttle leaves from 22 points of departure. Arrival at Sport Vlaanderen Gent (topsporthal) (walking distance) is scheduled around 7:30 am (marathon) and 12:30 pm (half marathon). The return is scheduled for 2:30 pm (marathon) and 5 pm (half marathon).

Book your ticket for the Event Shuttle here

Private Coaches

If you are coming in a group on a private coach, register via this link.

HOW TO GET THERE

SUNDAY 30 MARCH – RACE DAY

Leaving the event

You can use the free shuttles taking you to Gent-Sint-Pieters, Ikea and The Loop. You can find them at Blaarmeersen on Campinglaan and Trimlaan.

Pick-up Point Campinglaan:

Shuttle to Gent-Sint-Pieters

Pick-up Point Trimlaan:

Shuttle to Ikea/The Loop

COLLECTION PARTICIPANT PACK

Collect your participant pack from the event site at Sport Vlaanderen Gent (topsporthal).

• On Friday 28 March between 12:30 and 6:30 pm.

• On Saturday 29 March between 10 am and 5 pm.

• On Sunday 30 March between 7:30 am and 1:45 pm.

We strongly urge you to collect your bib number from Sport Vlaanderen Gent (topsporthal) on Friday 28 March or Saturday 29 March. That way you avoid the crowds on Sunday, and you get to the start without a care in the world.

Location:

Sport Vlaanderen Gent

Zuiderlaan 14, 9000 Ghent

YOU GOT A MAIL WITH A BIB

Collect your participant pack from the line that corresponds to your number. YOUR NUMBER:

YOU GOT A MAIL WITH AN E-TICKET?

Pick up your participation packet at the desk with banner “E-TICKET”

FAQ

I have not received the confirmation email containing my personal number and/or e-ticket?

Please make sure to check your SPAM folder. If you can’t find your confirmation email with personal number or e-ticket there either, send an email to info@golazo.com. You can also report to the helpdesk on site with your ID card.

You can also search your bib number on our website, on the basis of your name.

Can someone else collect my bib number?

Yes, that is possible. The person collecting needs to bring your confirmation email containing your personal number or eticket to the pre-registration desk.

Can I still change my details?

If you would like to change your distance* or name, you will only be able to do so on site at the registration desk. Be sure to bring your E-ID-card so that we can easily and quickly enter your details. A name change costs €5 on site. *you can only change distance from marathon to half marathon.

BAG DROP AREA

1. Your participant pack contains a sticker that shows the same number as your bib number.

2. Attach this sticker to your bag and hand it in at the Bag Drop Area.

3. Report to the tent that corresponds with your bib number

4. You can ONLY collect your bag when you show your bib number

5. Make sure you have a (sports) bag that can be closed completely to put in all your belongings, loose items of clothing will not be accepted.

6. Sports bags can be collected until 5:30 pm.

T-SHIRT

If you bought the Craft event shirt when you registered, you can collect it with the envelope of your bib number from the registration area in Sport Vlaanderen Gent (topsporthal) on Friday 28 March between 12:30 and 6:30 pm, Saturday 29 March between 10 am and 5 pm and on Sunday 30 March between 7:30 am and 1:45 pm.

T-shirts will be available to buy for €32 on site from the merchandise stand. As long as supplies last.

THE RACE

START PROCEDURE (HALF) MARATHON

Programme start

Marathon: 9u00

Half marathon: 13u30

The correct start box

For your own running comfort and that of your fellow runners, it is advised to stand in the start box of your desired finish time and corresponding pacer. This will allow everyone to run in their ideal running comfort. There will be no checks, thanks to the fair play of all runners, everyone can make a smooth start.

Important:

You can only enter the start boxes from the left. It is not possible to enter the start area from the back.

You can find the detailed overview of the start boxes here:

MARATHON COURSE

MARATHON* COURSE Strava

*Officially measured by World Athletics

MARATHON* COURSE GPX

* Officially measured by World Athletics

HALF MARATHON COURSE

HALF MARATHON* COURSE Strava

* Officially measured by World Athletics

HALF MARATHON* COURSE GPX

* Officially measured by World Athletics

PACING TEAM

MARATHON MARATHON HALF MARATHON

Pacers

A number of very experienced pacers have committed to act as pacers for the Sofico Gent Marathon and Half Marathon. There are always at least two pacers per finish time to guide you to the finish.

The pacers are easy to spot in the start box thanks to their coloured flags showing the finish time.

SUPPLIES

MARATHON

• 6.10 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit

• 11.1 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit

• 15.8 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit

• 20.0 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit– banana

• 25.5 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit

• 31.0 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit

• 35.8 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit

• 38.0 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit– banana

• 40.0 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit

HALF MARATHON

• 6.10 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit

• 9.80 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit

• 16.2 km: Water – AA Drink Iso Lemon – Sweets – savoury biscuit– Banana

FINISH

• Medal – water – Fulfil – Cécémel

DID YOU KNOW?

AA drink Iso Lemon is the official sports drink partner of the Sofico Gent Marathon. Fulfil is the official recovery bar of the Sofico Gent Marathon.

Cécémel is the official recovery drink of the Sofico Gent Marathon.

EXERCISING SAFELY

Exercise is good for you and improves your physical and mental health. It is however important to exercise in a responsible way. This prevents injury and increases your enjoyment. We would like to share 5 tips with you.

The importance of a good warm-up

To prevent injury, it is important to warm up sufficiently. This time of year, your body is extra sensitive for injuries. A warm-up warms up your muscles and prevents injuries.

Drink plenty of fluids

Food also helps keep your body in shape at low temperatures. Drink plenty of fluids during your run. At lower temperatures, you may think that you will sweat less and drink less. Nevertheless, it is extremely important to take in plenty of fluids during exercise.

Do not forget the cool-down

A cool-down is advisable after your run. It is essential to return your heart to its normal rhythm again after intense exercise. Slow down your exercise gradually!

Listen to your body

Do not just follow the masses. Run at the pace that you trained for.

ENJOY IT!

This is an achievement that you have worked towards for a long time. Don’t forget to enjoy the course and revel in the encouraging cheers of the many supporters along the course!

LIVE TRACKING

Live tracking

Your supporters can follow you (and your intermediate times) thanks to our online live tracking!

Live tracking is available on our website and this QR code on the day of the event.

SCAN ME!

AFTER THE RACE

SAY CHEESE!

Your personal action shots thanks to Sportograf

SPORTOGRAF.COM is the official photo service of the Sofico Gent Marathon. These photographers have built up a good reputation over the last years through their complete digital service and reasonable fees.

Consult the Sportograf website and find your Sofico Gent Marathon photos.