The first edition of the Besox Halve van Oostende will take place on Sunday 8 February 2026. The programme includes a half marathon and a 10 km run. Registration for the first Besox Halve van Oostende opens on Thursday 20 November at 11 a.m. The event is organised by Golazo, who also organise the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles and the Athora Bruges Marathon, and other events. The organisers are aiming for more than 4,000 participants for this very first edition.
The start and finish are on Zeeheldenplein in the harbour. The first few kilometres through the city centre are fast and sheltered, but the runners’ stamina and perseverance will be tested with a stretch along the stately Koninginnelaan further out, followed by the (paved) dune path to Middelkerke. The half marathon runners will turn around at the iconic SILT in Middelkerke and then run all the way back to Ostend via the beach at low tide. The turning point for the 10 km is in Mariakerke. The exact route will be announced shortly.
“The Besox Halve van Oostende is a winter half marathon with a distinctive concept,” says Greg Broekmans of organiser Golazo. “Partly paved, partly unpaved. And in February, a battle with the elements is never far away. The wind mainly comes in from the west, which means a headwind in the first half and a tailwind on the way back. That obviously makes the event exciting and different from traditional city runs. This event will be the newcomer to our wonderful programme of running events and the opener of a great half marathon season. We are convinced that, in addition to its sporting value, this event will add value to tourism in Ostend.”
Charlotte Verkeyn, Councillor for Sport in Ostend: “The Besox Halve van Oostende allows us to once again welcome a wonderful sporting event to our city. The collaboration with Golazo is particularly sportsmanlike, smooth and professional. Thanks to their expertise and the efforts of our city services, we can offer a high-quality and atmospheric running event that both Ostend residents and visitors can enjoy. Together, we are putting our city even more firmly on the map as a sporting coastal city.”
Christophe Morbee, Besox CEO: “The Halve van Oostende will undoubtedly be a sporting highlight for our city. As the main sponsor, we at Besox are delighted to be able to support an event that gets people moving and creates enthusiasm. For us, Ostend is much more than just a location: it is a community that grows with us every day.”
Together with Ambassador Team Fischer
One of the ambassadors of the event is Benny Fischer, a distinguished athlete from Ostend and the driving force behind Team Fischer, a running club from Ostend with a growing membership. “It’s great that another big race is coming to Ostend. I really believe in the versatility of the course. Obviously, I hope the wind will be favourable because then we can definitely expect some fast times. For many runners, it will also be the ideal training for their spring goals. The date couldn’t be better in that respect,” says Benny Fischer.
Practical info Besox Halve van Oostende
Programme* Sunday 8 February 2026:
(*Subject to change)
- 9:45m.: Start 10 km
- 10:30m.: Start 21.0975 km
Registration: from Thursday 20 November at 11 a.m.