Half Marathon races near Genappe

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.

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.

Trage Wegen Jogging is a running event held in October in Boutersem, located in Belgium’s Vlaams-Brabant province, starting at Sport’O’Droom. Participants can choose from 5 km, 10 km, 16 km, and 21 km distances. Time registration uses chips, and the event features a free-start format divided into two blocks. The course consists almost entirely of unpaved paths, featuring numerous single-track sections, making it more of a trail run than a road race. The route is marked, and aid stations are available along the way. Sport’O’Droom offers amenities such as changing rooms, showers, and luggage storage. Additionally, there are 400 m and 800 m kids' runs. Every child participating receives a medal. This marks the 12th edition of the race.

20km door het Zoniënwoud is a 20 km forest race in Auderghem, on the edge of Brussels. It is a trail run, with over 90% of the route unpaved. The course is fully marked, and runners receive one aid station. The race carries a UTMB Index 20K listing and features 370 meters of climbing, suitable for those seeking a short, genuine off-road challenge. The route remains primarily within the Zoniënwoud, utilizing gravel paths and single tracks with some steep ascents. It is entirely traffic-free, marked by orange arrows and large signs, and limited to 1,500 participants across four start waves. The event includes a walking option for children up to 12 and dogs, offered free of charge, contributing to a wider local atmosphere compared to a race exclusively for runners.