The European Running Championships will be streamed live from start to finish with English-language commentary on the European Athletics website.

Speaking at the official pre-event press conference in Brussels on Friday (11), he said: “It’s a really historical event. The first ever! And it has already broken some records. More than 28,000 runners from 46 member federations are here.”

Organisers also revealed that 12,500 runners have registered specifically for the marathon. This makes it the largest ever race over the classic distance ever in Belgium. Meanwhile, 10,000 have entered for the half marathon and 5,500 for the 10km. 

There are 23,500 entrants from the host country, including 4500 residents of Leuven and 2200 from Brussels. It was also revealed that 50% of participants are aged 18-34.

Battocletti bidding to complete surface set of European titles

Nadia Battocletti, the reigning European champion on cross country and on track over 5000m and 10,000m, will be targeting a unique hat-trick on the roads in the women’s 10km.

Victory on the streets of Leuven on Sunday (13) will seal the Italian’s status as the continent’s premier female endurance runner, regardless of terrain.

The Olympic 10,000m silver from Paris last year is the pre-race favourite, and she senses the expectation.

“Probably eyes are on me on Sunday,” she admits. “But I am so confident about my performance and my training. Everything is good. I did a lot of cross country races and an indoor race in Lieven (this winter), and I am ready for Sunday.”

The women’s 10km is potentially the most competitive race of the entire championships. Battocletti’s rivals include European leader Klara Lukan of Slovenia (30:26) and European 10,000m silver medallist Diane van Es of the Netherlands. Also, there is four-time European cross-country champion Yasemin Can of Türkiye. 

Verbruggen puts on brave face for Belgium hopes

The last time Belgium held a major athletics event of the magnitude of the European Running Championships was the Brussels 2023 SPAR European Cross Country Championships, where the host nation collected three medals (Robin Hendrix – senior men bronze; senior men team gold; senior women team bronze).

Twice Olympic marathon runner Hanne Verbruggen who placed 19th in Paris last year, is one of the host nation’s hopes. The 31-year-old has already shown admirable fortitude to earn her place on the start line for Sunday’s (13) women’s marathon. 
“In January, I fell down on my face and broke three things (including her cheekbone and jaw),” she said at the official press conference on Friday (11). 

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