Ekiden Tongeren

About the race

The Ekiden of Tongeren is a relay marathon in which six runners together cover the full 42.195 kilometres, Japanese style: each team passes on a tasuki, the sash that literally ties the squad together. The split is fixed — the first, third and fifth runners cover 5 kilometres, the second and fourth 10 kilometres, and the anchor takes on the remaining 7.195 kilometres. Start and finish are at the De Motten sports stadium, where the welcome area opens an hour and a half before the gun. Teams can enter a mixed, men's or women's ranking. Music, drinks and spectators surround the changeover zone, which makes the day as much a team outing as a race.