Event in Luxembourg: 12,000 runners for the return of the ING Night Marathon
LUXEMBOURG – After three years of absence, the ING Night Marathon will be back on Saturday May 28 in the streets of the capital, for a rather special fifteenth edition.
The country was orphaned by its biggest sporting event for two years. On May 28, the “party” will return to the streets of the capital, where the ING Night Marathon this year will attract at least 12,000 runners and tens of thousands of spectators, on and around the new course concocted by the organization.
A sharp drop in participation compared to previous editions (16,000 in 2019), while registrations are generally complete in February. A small disappointment, but not a surprise for the organizer Erich François who, despite two blank years, never imagined for a single second abandoning his “baby”.
“People who worked in companies used to train together. This year, with teleworking, fewer people were able to prepare,” he assures. A drop in participation which should not spoil the party. “We did everything to make it the best edition ever organised,” he added.
A modified route
While the start and finish will still be located at Luxexpo, the commissioning of the Luxembourg tram has forced the organization to make some changes to the route. If the latter retained its reputation as a demanding race, with an elevation gain of 300 meters, the new route will reinstall more tourist attractions in the capital. Regulars will notice changes, mainly in Kirchberg and Limpertsberg.
7 lessons
In addition to the mythical distance (42.195 km), six other courses will be on the program: the half-marathon (21.0975), the Team Run (4 runners for the marathon), the 5K for Success (5 km), two “mini-marathons” for children (4 km and 1 km), and the Roll & Run (7.3 km), for people with reduced mobility. The marathon and half-marathon runners separate at the Place d’Armes.
A popular festival
An unmissable moment of spring in the capital, the ING Night Marathon will again rely on its many “hotspots” and musical entertainment throughout the course. 56 world music groups ensure the atmosphere in the streets of the capital. All areas will remain accessible.
Elite runners absent
No elite African athletes have been invited to the race this year. An absence justified by the organizer by the uncertainties linked to the pandemic in the previous months. “The reason is not economic. For a long time, it was difficult to know what health measures would be in force, particularly for travel and entry into the territory, ”assured Erich François. “An additional chance for European riders to shine during this edition,” he added.
Registrations for the various courses will remain possible until May 10. The deadline has been extended to allow the undecided to take a last minute bib.