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Dwars door Mechelen

September 26, 2027 · 10:45 AMMechelen, Antwerp, Belgium

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Race snapshot

Race Day

59°F

50–66°F · Feels mild

Total elevation gain

98ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +0 ft

Crowd Rating

7/ 10

Excellent spectator turnout

The Lowdown

Dwars door Mechelen is a city race through the centre of Mechelen in Flanders, held on a Sunday at the end of September. Run as the EnergyVision Dwars door Mechelen, the 20th edition in 2026 added a half marathon for the first time, next to a 10 km, a 6 km and a 1 km kids run, and about 7,000 runners were expected. All distances start at the Veemarkt and finish on the Grote Markt. The half marathon follows the Leuvense Vaart and the Dijle, passes the Vrijbroekpark, the Kruidtuin and the Hof van Busleyden, and goes through the Tangent and the 755 m Margaretatunnel. The half marathon started at 10:45 in 2026. Timing is by chip, and pacers run the half marathon from 4:30 to 6:30 per km.

Previous edition results — 2026

Course Highlights: 01Veemarkt – start for all distances
02Leuvense Vaart and Dijle – riverbanks form the backbone of the half marathon course
03Vrijbroekpark – park passed by the half marathon
04Kruidtuin – botanical garden passed by the half marathon
05Hof van Busleyden – historic courtyard palace on the route
06Tangent and Margaretatunnel – the course goes through the Tangent and the 755 m tunnel
07Grote Markt – finish line for all distances
Also on this race weekend: 10K

01: Bibs were collected on Saturday from 12:00 to 17:00 at Mercedes-Benz SMC Mechelen, and on Sunday from 08:30 at Sint-Romboutscollege.
02: Changing rooms, showers and free bag storage are at Sporthal Paardenstraatje, next to the start.
03: Moving to a shorter distance on site is free; a name change on site costs 5 EUR.
04: Half marathon aid stations were at 3.8, 9.5, 15 and 17.7 km, with isotonic drink and food at 9.5 and 15 km.
05: The organizer did not allow an official course measurement in and around the Tangent; distances were measured with World Athletics tools.

Prepare for This Race

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