Half Marathon races near Assenede

The Van Cauter Half Marathon Erpe-Mere takes place in October in Erpe-Mere, East Flanders, Belgium. The main 21.1 km race begins at the church in Aaigem. The event also features 3.5 km and 11.5 km runs, alongside youth races of 450 m for toddlers, 750 m for younger primary-school children, and 1000 m for older primary-school children. The shorter races and youth distances are based at Domain Steenberg. Half marathon runners use Aaigem as their race base and collect their numbers at the church. The event is a fixture on the local sports calendar, offering live timing, many children and recreational runners, and supporters along a route showcasing the greener parts of Erpe-Mere.

Marathon de Bruges takes participants through Bruges, a Belgian city known for its medieval streets, canals, and Flemish heritage. The event includes a full marathon for experienced runners, a half marathon for regular participants, and an 8 km walk for those seeking a shorter option. It offers a more intimate atmosphere than large urban marathons, with efficient organization and a course suitable for both newcomers and seasoned distance runners. The course winds from Bruges' historic streets past quiet canals and into the Flemish countryside, distinguishing it from a simple city road race. Bruges provides a distinct local character to the event: the 83-meter Belfry overlooks the city, and on clear days, the North Sea is visible from its peak with binoculars. Post-race, local specialties include chocolate, mussels and fries, waterzooi, shrimp tomato, or pork cooked in beer; Bruges also has a significant beer tradition, with an estimated 350 of Belgium's 1,500 beers originating from the city.

The Vondelhof Trail begins and ends at the Vondelhof in Haaltert, with Maspoe organizing the race from Vondelen 14. Participants can select from 12 km, 21 km, or 30 km routes, all designed as trail courses rather than road races. Over 70% of the course is off-road, making it a day for trail shoes, not fast, flat asphalt. The event takes place in autumn and is in its second edition. The route includes singletrack, unpaved forest paths, gravel roads, mud, and some climbing; organizers advise that good grip is important. It is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. The race is cup-free, requiring runners to bring their own cup for water at aid stations. Streets near the start will be closed to traffic, parking is restricted to surrounding streets, and arriving on foot or by bike is encouraged. Later in the day, Haaltert Loopt offers 4 km, 8 km, and 12 km options with the same setup.

The Linker Oevert Marathon Antwerpen is a city road race in Antwerp, Belgium, held in mid-October. Participants can select 10 km, half marathon, or full marathon distances, accommodating both those advancing from shorter races and experienced marathoners. Each distance features a single-loop course: 10 km, 21.0975 km, or 42.195 km. The route crosses Antwerp, offering sights of the River Scheldt and city landmarks. Spectators can cheer runners, then explore Antwerp's attractions such as the zoo, the MAS museum, or the diamond district.

The TREK Antwerp Marathon is an October running event in Antwerp, a Belgian port city on the Scheldt. Participants can select the full marathon, half marathon, or 10K, accommodating both long-distance runners and those seeking a shorter city race. The event draws a significant field for a Belgian city race, with approximately 20,000 runners participating across the three distances. This marks the sixth edition of the race. The route crosses the center of Antwerp, passing historic landmarks instead of skirting the city's periphery. Marathon participants are supported by pacers identified by colored target-time flags. The course features aid stations and distinct kilometer and time markers. All finishers are awarded a medal, and marathon entrants also receive an event T-shirt. Additionally, runners have the option to pay after completing the race to have their medal engraved with their name and finish time. Timing is managed via electronic chip with live results available online. The practical arrangements include changing tents and secure bag storage, but showers are not provided at the venue.

Donkmeerloop De Mooiste Halve is a road race held at Festival Hall Donkmeer in Berlare, East Flanders. The start and finish are on Donklaan, adjacent to the lake. The race offers 6 km, 12 km, and half marathon distances, and is scheduled for autumn. Jente Samson, the Flanders Project Team, the municipality of Berlare, and the Province of East Flanders organize the event. It has been held for 11 consecutive editions, expanding from 450 participants in its first year to over 2,000, with fields now sold out. The courses traverse the Donkmeer area, the old duck decoy, and Nieuwdonk. This ensures even the shorter distances offer the same lake-and-park environment as the half marathon. Half marathon participants can utilize seven pacers, identifiable by orange shirts, aiming for finish times between 1:20 and 2:10. Past editions featured the Belgian Championship, charity runs, and support for a children's heart fund. The race maintains practical amenities: aid stations on each lap, electronic timing, changing facilities and showers at the start/finish, medals for all finishers, a finisher drink, and trophies awarded.

Zakloop Nisse is a half marathon held near Nisse in late autumn. One past edition featured nearly summer-like weather interspersed with stormy periods, creating mixed conditions for a November event. Mike Suurmond of Vlissingen won the men's race, taking the lead around the 25% mark and finishing five minutes ahead of Jasper Marcusse. Nelleke Baldé from Grijpskerke won the women's race. Both winners are triathletes whose primary strength is running. Marcusse placed second and Erwin Harmes third, repeating their results from the prior edition.