
Namur, Belgium · Saturday 25 April 2026
Namur's position at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers in Belgium's Walloon region makes it a compelling marathon destination. The city itself, dominated by the imposing Citadelle that overlooks the valley, sits within a landscape of gentle river valleys and forested hills that characterize the wider region. This corner of Belgium offers runners the chance to experience the quiet, less-touristed side of the country, where medieval architecture and natural beauty coexist without the crowds you'd find further north. The surrounding countryside provides genuine scenic interest without the extremes that might punish slower runners or those recovering from training. The course itself reflects this landscape beautifully. At 42.2 kilometers on trail surfaces, it's a full marathon that stays mostly flat to gently rolling throughout, with only 136 meters of elevation gain spread across the route. Runners will spend the day between 75 and 111 meters above sea level, meaning there are no significant climbs to break rhythm or derail pacing strategies. For a trail marathon, this is genuinely approachable terrain. The decision to run on trails rather than roads softens the impact on your legs while maintaining the speed-friendly gradient profile, making this a course that rewards steady effort rather than technical footwork. Race day itself benefits from the event's established infrastructure and community focus. Beyond the main marathon, the Baloise Namur Marathon hosts a semi-marathon, 10K, and various other categories including the KickCancer element, which gives the event a social character. The organizers provide multiple ways to stay connected during the race, from live tracking to video support options, suggesting they've thought through what both runners and their supporters need. With logistical support including accommodation information and garderie facilities, this feels like a well-managed event that understands the logistics of gathering runners from across Europe.
Adjusted Time
4:32:32
Time difference: +32.5 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Baloise Namur Marathon is a full marathon held in Namur, Belgium, scheduled for Saturday 25 April 2026. The course is run on trail surface with 136m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 111m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Baloise Namur Marathon website.
With 136m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 75m to 111m above sea level (36m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.
Based on historical weather data for April, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Near-ideal running temperatures are expected, ranging from 5°C to 19°C. This temperature range is widely considered optimal for marathon performance, allowing efficient heat dissipation without cold-related issues. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.
Baloise Namur Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.
Our difficulty rating for Baloise Namur Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Baloise Namur Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
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