Practical

If you have registered for the Besox Halve van Oostende, you will find some practical information below.

Last tips & tricks

The sea is calling, the city buzzing and the clock ticks. This Sunday 8 February 2026, Ostend is completely dominated by the very first edition of the Besox Halve van Oostende!

To ensure that you are fully prepared when you arrive at the start, we have compiled all the practical information for you below.

Programme and Locations

When you registered, you received an e-ticket. With that e-ticket, you can already collect your bib number from the registration area at the Petrus & Paulus College, entrance via Vindictivelaan 9 in peace and quiet on Saturday between 2 and 6 p.m., or on Sunday from 8:30 a.m.

You didn’t receive an e-ticket? Look for a confirmation email from info@golazo.com, also check your spam. If you still cannot find anything, send an email before Friday 5 p.m. to info@golazo.com or bring your ID when collecting your bib number.

If you ordered a T-shirt, you will also receive a T-shirt voucher when collecting your bib number, with that voucher you can collect your T-shirt from the T-shirt stand. You can only change it for another size when all ordered T-shirts have been collected and while stocks last.

The 10 km starts at 9:45 a.m., the half marathon at 10:30 a.m. Both distances start from Zeeheldenplein. Please note this is 1 km from the registration area, changing rooms and bag drop area.

Bag Drop Area and Changing Rooms

From 8:30 a.m., you can also leave your sports bag free of charge at the provided bag drop area in the registration area. You will get a unique sticker for your bag and an identical sticker to put on the back of your bib number. After your run, you can collect your bag by presenting this sticker. The organisers will take the necessary safety precautions, but use of the bag drop area is at your own risk. The organisers are not liable for any damage, loss or theft.

There are changing rooms, but no showers in the registration area. If you would like to warm up, do it on the beach or the sea wall, not in the city centre.

Mobility and Accessibility

We recommend that you come to Ostend on foot, by bike or public transport. Use the NMBS and De Lijn route planners to get the smartest travel advice. Ostend station is just 250 metres from the registration area, and 850 metres from the start & finish. Please park any bikes in the existing bike stands, not in the public domain.

There will be no parking by the registration area (College Petrus & Paulus) nor by the start & finish (Zeeheldenplein). If you do come by car, leave it in one of the city car parks or the Zeeparking, and continue your trip on foot.

A relaxed start is the beginning of a great running performance. Give yourself enough time to park your bike or car, pick up your bib number, potentially change outfits and get to the start. You can find all info about mobility, accessibility and car parks on the website.

Choose the right starting grid

For your own running comfort and that of your fellow runners, we recommend that you enter starting grid that corresponds with your desired finish time and dedicated pacer. This should create the ideal running comfort for everybody. There will be no checks because the fair play of all runners will allow everyone to make a smooth start. There are 3 starting grids. You will find the anticipated finish times on the corner signs by the starting grids.

Course and Supplies

The first kilometres through the centre and along Koninklijke Baan are fast and sheltered, followed by the (paved) dune path up to Middelkerke.

The half marathon runners turn around the iconic SILT in Middelkerke and then run all the way back to Ostend over the beach at low tide. The 3rd supply station will be on the Sea wall, which means you will have to run on soft sand instead of hard sand briefly.

Supply station 1 at 4.8 km (including for the 10 km): water, AA Drink Iso Lemon (isotone sports beverage), savoury biscuit, cola sweets

Supply station 2 at 11 km: water, AA Drink Iso Lemon (isotone sports beverage), savoury biscuit, cola sweets, banana

Supply station 3 at 17.5 km: water, AA Drink Iso Lemon (isotone sports beverage), savoury biscuit, cola sweets

Finish 10 km & half marathon: AA Drink & Joyfuel protein bar

Download the GPX files from our website and join our Strava club.

Timing and Results

The results will be based on net times. Your time does not start before you cross the official start line. So, there is no need to push to the front at the start. For those running the half marathon, there is a crossing point on Kustbaan (junction with Cyriel de Grootelaan) just before entering Middelkerke. Follow the instructions of the stewards here. During the crossing your time will be neutralised.

Relaxation at the finish

Stay for a chat in the finish area, because every participant receives a voucher for a free tomato soup.

Finally

Maybe the most important tip of all: have fun! Enjoy the sea air, the sea view, the unique course and the atmosphere. Make it into an unforgettable day for you and your running mates.

Saturday 7 February 2026
2:00 – 6:00 pm
Collection of race numbers, T-shirts, group packages, Changes
Registration zone
📍 Petrus & Paulus College
(Vindictivelaan 9, 8400 Ostend)
Sunday 8 February 2026
From 08:30
Collection of race numbers, T-shirts, group packages
Day registrations & changes
Access to changing rooms (no showers)
Sports bag drop-off
Registration zone
📍 Petrus & Paulus College
(Vindictivelaan 9, 8400 Ostend)
09:45
Start 10 km
Event site:
start – finish  podium
📍 Zeeheldenplein
10:30
Start Half Marathon
13:30 – 13:45
Finish closes
  • Exclusive first-edition medal
  • Signposted course
  • Experienced pacers
  • Electronic chip with timing
  • Supplies along the route in the 10 km and 21.0975 km
  • Final supplies at the finish
  • Sportinez insurance during the run
Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing your e-ticket. With this e-ticket, you can collect your race bib on:
  • Saturday 7 February 2026 between 14:00 and 18:00 (recommended)
  • Sunday 8 February 2026 from 08:30 onwards
Pick-up location/indoor location/registration area: College – Petrus & Paulus (Vindictivelaan 9, 8400 Ostend)
Can’t find your e-ticket?
No worries. Bring your ID when collecting your race bib so we can find you by name in our database.
Participants registered via a group registration, where the group package is collected by the group leader, cannot collect their bib individually. They must contact the group leader, who will collect the group package on 8 February and distribute the bibs to all group members.
The changing rooms and bag drop for sports bags are located in the registration area at College Petrus & Paulus, with access via the Vindictivelaan.
This indoor location is 1 km or a 15-minute walk from the start and finish area.
 
Changing rooms
 
At College Petrus & Paulus, separate changing rooms are available.
Please note that NO shower facilities are provided.
 
Bag drop
 
On Sunday 8 February from 8:30 a.m., you may leave your sports bag free of charge during the event at the designated bag drop at College Petrus & Paulus. A sticker with a unique number will be attached to your bag. The same number will also be attached to your bib number. After your participation, you can collect your sports bag upon presentation of your sticker. If you lose your sticker, your bag can only be collected after providing the organisation with a correct description of the bag and its contents. There will therefore be no bag drop at the Zeeheldenplein, at the start and finish.
 
The organisation will take the necessary security measures to supervise the area as well as possible; however, use of the bag drop is at your own risk. The organisation is not responsible for any damage, loss and/or theft of personal belongings.
 
Some recommendations:
 
  • Use a sports bag that can be securely closed and make sure it is properly closed to prevent items from falling out.
  • Do not leave valuable items (such as a smartphone, sports watch, wallet, etc.) in your sports bag.
Would you like to change your distance or name?
This is possible until Friday, 6 February at 4:30 PM via info@golazo.com.
For a name change, please provide the following details of the replacement:
  • Original participant’s reference number
  • Full name
  • Gender
  • Date of birth
  • Address
  • City + postal code
  • Phone number
  • Emergency phone number
  • Email address

After this date, changes can only be made at the registration desk on Sunday, 8 February 2026.
If a certain distance is fully booked, it will no longer be possible to switch to that distance.
Distance change (on site)
Collect the bib number of the original participant.
Have your distance changed at the ‘change of name/distance’ desk and receive a new bib number.
Switching to a shorter distance is free. For a longer distance, the price difference will be charged.
Name change (on site)
Collect the bib number with the confirmation email of the person whose bib you have taken over.
Have your details updated at the ‘change of name/distance’ desk and receive a new bib number.
Don’t forget to bring your ID. An administrative fee of €12 will be charged for a name change.

The time for the 10 km and half marathon is measured using an electronic chip. This chip, located on the back of the bib number, measures the net time between the start and finish. This means that your time only starts when you cross the starting line. This extra service ensures a more accurate time measurement.

The chip is included in the registration fee and does not need to be returned after the race. Please do not fold the bib number or remove the stickers on the chip.

Do you have a clear goal in mind or are you aiming to break your personal record (PR) in the half marathon? Then you can count on the Pacer Team!

Our experienced pacers will guide you from start to finish, help you maintain a steady pace, and give you that extra (figurative) push when things get tough. The pacers are easy to spot in the starting corral, thanks to their coloured flag displaying the target finish time. Simply follow the pacer that matches your goal pace and let them guide you all the way to the finish line.

  • 1hr30 pink flag
  • 1hr40 blue flag
  • 1hr50 yellow flag
  • 2hrs red flag
  • 2hrs10 green flag
  • 2hrs20 black flag
  • 2hrs30 orange flag
There are no pacers or pace makers for the 10 km distance.
Here is what you can expect at the refreshment stations:
 
Refreshment Station 1 at 4.8 km: water, AA Drink Iso Lemon (isotonic sports drink), savoury biscuit & cola candies.
 
Refreshment Station 2 at 11 km: water, AA Drink Iso Lemon (isotonic sports drink), savoury biscuit, cola candies & a banana.
 
Refreshment Station 3 at 17.5 km: water, AA Drink Iso Lemon (isotonic sports drink), savoury biscuit & cola candies.
Please note: This third refreshment station will be located on the promenade, meaning you will briefly move from firm sand to soft sand.
 
Finish: AA Drink & Joyfuel protein bar.

Sunday 8 February 2026 is promising to be a pleasantly busy day in Ostend! So, if you want to make it a fun weekend and/or want to pick up your bib number on Saturday, you can!

Pick up location/indoor location/Registration Area: College – Petrus & Paulus

If you want to collect your bib number, collect or buy your T-shirt, register on the day, register as a group, use the bag drop, heated changing rooms or toilets, head to the College Petrus & Paulus school.

Entry via Vindictivelaan 9, exit via Euphrosina Beernaertstraat.

Please note: there are no showers.

PEDESTRIAN ROUTE REGISTRATION AREA → START & FINISH

Arrive on time! When you exit the College Petrus & Paulus, it is just under 15 minutes’ walk from Euphrosina Beernaertstraat to Zeeheldendenplein. The distance is only 1 km. There will be no shuttle buses.

Under MOBILITY, you can read all about how best to reach Ostend for this running party and what the impact on residents will be.

If you want to avoid the crowds and parking stress, leave your car keys on the side on Sunday, or set off on Saturday and make it a fun weekend! Take your time to collect your bib number from the College Pertus & Paulus without a care in the world on Saturday 7 February between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Coming by bike on Sunday?

You can park your bike at walking distance from the registration area in the following places:

  • Station (1008 places)
  • Natiënkaai (40 places)
  • Sint-Petrus-en Paulusplein (18 places)
  • EuphrosinaBeernaertstraat5 (30 places)
  • EuphrosinaBeernaertstraat8 (16 places)
  • Kapellebrug (32 places)
  • Christinastraat 140 (30 places)


You can find all bike stands in Ostend here.

Coming by public transport?

  • The train station in the centre of Ostend is a 200m walk from the College Petrus & Paulus (registration area) and an 850m walk from Zeeheldenplein (start & finish).


There are direct trains from Antwerp-Central, Brussels-Midi, Ghent-Sint-Pieters and Bruges. Plan your train journey using the NMBS route planner.

  • If taking the tram, get off at Marie-Joséplein or Ostend Station. Plan your tram journey using the De Lijn route planner.
  • The nearest bus stops are Oostende Leopold I plein (251m), Oostende Petit Paris (415m), Oostende Marie-Joséplein Perron (518m), Oostende AzoSerruys (582 m), Oostende Station, Oostende Kapellestraat and Oostende Stadhuis. Give yourself enough time and plan your bus journey using the De Lijn route planner.


Coming by car?

You do best to avoid the historic city centre! The Kleine Ring (small ring road) will be one-way traffic only. The following streets will be hard to reach due to the run and will be impacted:

  • Leopold II-laan
  • Van Iseghemlaan
  • Albert I-Promenade
  • Visserskaai
  • Vindictivelaan

We recommend you use the following car parks:

  • De Zeeparking (450 spaces)
  • Parking Churchill (410 spaces)
  • Parking Kursaal 1 (251 spaces)
  • Parking Kursaal 2 (140 spaces)
  • Parking Mijnplein (127 spaces)


Please note: Car park Indigo Visserskaai will not be accessible before and during the race.

You can find a detailled overview of all car parks on the Ostend website.

RESIDENTS INFO

The city will send a letter to all residents. There will be a crossing on Kapellestraat and Vlaanderenstraat, supervised by police.

Turn it into both a sporty and relaxing experience by staying overnight in Ostend or Middelkerke.

With the wide range of hotels, B&Bs and holiday homes, it’s the perfect base to pick up your race number in all tranquillity on Saturday 7 February between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Petrus & Paulus College in Ostend. This way, you can start well‑prepared and stress‑free on Sunday 8 February!

Discover all accommodation options on the websites of Visit Ostend and Visit Middelkerke.