The inaugural European Running Championships will take place in Leuven and Brussels this weekend. More than 300 professional athletes will take part in one of the six races, and the Belgian team has a number of medal contenders in its ranks.

The event consists of three disciplines: the marathon (42.2km), the half-marathon (21.1km) and the 10km. The 10km and half-marathon take place in Leuven, while the marathon starts in Brussels and finishes in Leuven.

The event is open to all, meaning that even recreational runners can participate, and the organisation expects more than 28,000 people to take part. Sunday’s marathon will be the biggest ever in Belgium, with 12,500 participants.

Olympic medallists

However, they will have to compete with world-class athletes. The field will be strongest in the 10km race. European champion Dominic Lubalu will be competing in the men’s race, while Olympic silver medallist Nadia Battocletti will be aiming to win the women’s race.

Belgium also has several potential medallists. In the women’s half-marathon, Juliette Thomas and Chloé Herbiet, the second and fourth fastest on the start list respectively, will be battling for a podium finish. Isaac Kimeli has the third fastest time in the men’s 10km and over a decade of international competition experience.

The half-marathon starts at 10.00 on Saturday in Leuven. The 10km starts at 9.30 on Sunday in Leuven, while King Philippe will give the starting signal for the marathon at 10.15 in Brussels.