Antwerpen · Sunday, May 3, 2026
The Great Breweries Marathon is a marathon, hardlopen (running), and wandelen (walking) event held on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Let's be honest: if James Bond had to swap his Martini 🍸 for a beer after a high-speed chase in the Province of Antwerp, this is where he'd come 🕵️.
In Belgium 🇧🇪, it's not just the beers that are good...the races are too! The Antwerp Marathon gathers nearly 20,000 running enthusiasts in October to tackle the legendary 42.195 km, the half, or the 10 km 🏃. Here, good mood and full relaxation guaranteed! ☝️ But the carrot 🥕 is much prettier. Upon your arrival, enjoy a complimentary locally brewed beer in Antwerp itself: the De Koninck! 🍺
Mechelen Running Crew was born in May 2020 during lockdown, when running together became the one thing that made kilometres feel shorter. Founded to prove that group running transforms the sport, the crew has grown from those quiet pandemic days into a vibrant community open to every kind of runner. From steady mid-pacers to slow Sunday runners, Mechelen Running Crew welcomes everyone. They gather three times weekly at Vrijbroekpark's main entrance: Wednesday evenings, long run Sundays, and a dedicated slow run Sunday once monthly. Their philosophy is straightforward and honest: running in a group is simply more fun. You meet people, enjoy the sport more, and get better without even trying. In Mechelen, Belgium, this crew proves that the best runs happen together.
Back in 2015, brothers Patrice and Henrique planted a seed that would grow into one of Belgium’s most iconic crew cultures: the Antwerp Running Crew. They are, without a doubt, the true "OG runcrew" of the city.
The turning point? When captain Dimitri decided the Wednesday night miles needed a soundtrack and strapped on a heavy boombox. Add Lenka to the mix, who unlocked Antwerp's hidden playground by scouting surprisingly green, creative routes, and a legendary crew was born.
From those local roots, ARC quickly became infamous. Not only for hitting splits, but for throwing down the best vibes in town.