20 km of Brussels


The 20 km of Brussels is a 20.1 km running race that has been held each year in Brussels since 1980, usually in May. It used to have a maximum number of 25,000 entries, which were normally sold out quite quickly after places go on sale in March, but in 2010 a staggered start-time approach led to an increased maximum number of entries of 40,000.
The race is a major event in Brussels, with a large turnout of supporters. The course is quite challenging, particularly due to the gentle, long overall climb and several tunnels between kilometer three and seven as well as the long and steep climb on Avenue de Tervueren towards the end of the race.
The exact course distance has varied over time. The 2014 course officially covers 20.1 km. The course often did not cover a complete 20 km circuit in its early history. The 2000 race was significantly shorter than the full distance and both the men's and women's winners finished the race more than three minutes ahead of the world records at the time.

Past winners

KEY:
YearMen's raceCountryTime Women's raceCountryTime
2018Hassan Chahdi1:02:56Alexandra Tondeur1:14:38
2017David Maru1:00:37Sophie Hardy1:13:42
2016Regis Thonon1:02:07Manuela Soccol1:13:51
2015Abdelhadi El Hachimi1:01:47Manuela Soccol1:13:48
2014Gilbert Kipruto Kirwa59:05Ria Thienpondt1:17:21
2013Peter Kariuki Wanjiru59:22Catherine Lallemand1:13:07
2012Faisa Tasama Dame1:00:52Francine Niyonizigiye1:13:09
2011Najim El Qady59:41Francine Niyonizigiye1:12:08
2010Onesphore Nkunzimana1:01:29Alemitu Bekele1:11:42
2009Najim El Qady1:00:00Alemitu Bekele1:16:38
2008Willy Kiptarbei1:00:36Fatiha Baouf1:10:56
2007Abduh Bakhet Mohamed1:00:23Catherine Lallemand1:12:13
2006Rik Ceulemans1:02:37Catherine Lallemand1:12:21
2005Koen van Rie1:02:06Catherine Lallemand1:10:05
2004Jussi Utriainen1:00:59Marleen Renders1:10:45
2003Jussi Utriainen1:02:38Marleen Renders1:08:54
2002Ahmed Jaber1:02:03Marleen Renders1:07:46
2001Joseph Sitienei1:01:23Marleen Renders1:10:48
2000Simon Kasimili52:42Marleen Renders1:00:07
1999Mohammed Mourhit1:00:32Marleen Renders1:10:25
1998Ondoro Osoro56:15Marleen Renders1:05:07
1997Simon Bor55:59Marleen Renders1:03:32
1996Wilson Omwoyo55:41Marleen Renders1:03:57
1995Vincent Rousseau56:30Lieve Slegers1:03:27
1994Julius Ondieki56:06Lyudmila Afonjushkina1:05:38
1993Julius Ondieki56:58Lidia Chulanova1:06:48
1992David Long57:48Maria Ostrovskaya1:08:20
1991Ivan Uvizl57:28Ria Van Landeghem1:07:06
1990Douglas Wakiihuri57:21Veronique Marot1:06:12
1989Michael McLeod58:23Veronique Marot1:07:01
1988Steve Brace59:17Francine Peeters1:08:03
1987Dirk Vanderherten57:50Agnes Pardaens1:05:23
1986Dirk Vanderherten58:40De Bruycker1:08:24
1985Christopher Woodhouse58:58Nfn van Bost1:13:11
1984Alex Hagelsteens57:15Denise Verhaert1:08:47
1983Dirk Vanderherten58:00Denise Verhaert1:08:47
1982Frederik Vandervennet1:00:00Daniele Justin1:12:42
1981Frederik Vandervennet59:00De Beyns1:07:00
1980Werner Mory1:03:00Magda Ilands1:15.00