The last time Belgium held a major athletics event of the magnitude of the European Running Championships was the Brussels 2023 SPAR European Cross Country Championships, where the host nation collected three medals (Robin Hendrix - senior men bronze; senior men team gold; senior women team bronze).
Just 17 months on, Belgian hopes are high again that home advantage can deliver more medal success on the European stage at the inaugural edition of these championships, which will be streamed live from start to finish with English-language commentary on the European Athletics website.
Broken bones fail to derail determined Verbruggen
Speaking at the pre-event press conference in Brussels on Friday (11), twice Olympic marathon runner Hanne Verbruggen who placed 19th in Paris last year, is one of the host nation’s hopes. The 31-year-old has already shown admirable fortitude to earn her place on the start line for Sunday’s (13) women’s marathon.
“In January, I fell down on my face and broke three things (including her cheekbone and jaw),” she said at the official press conference on Friday (11).
“I had big races including a half marathon in Dubai, but I had to cancel it all because I couldn’t train. Then I had to work at school because I am a teacher.
“It was difficult to take holidays, but then three days before a training camp, they said I can go on training camp in Monte Gordo, Portugal. Normally, I would be there for three weeks, but I had to return early because I had a calf injury. I couldn’t run for ten days, so the doctors said I couldn’t run Europeans.
“But after some tests and some pictures (x-rays), it got better and better, so that’s the reason I am here, I can run on Sunday and that is the most important (thing).”
Verbruggen, who also placed eighth in the marathon at the Munich 2022 European Athletics Championships, is taking a resilient attitude into the weekend despite her travails.
“I count on my experience but also on my good training that I already did,” she said. “Mentally, I think I am very strong at this moment. I went to a psychologist to make me stronger, and it helped me a lot, so I hope it will help me also on Sunday in the difficult moments.
“Everything is possible on Sunday. I hope there will be a lot of supporters. Mentally it helps a lot. Mentally if it’s okay, physically the rest will follow.”
Van Lent eyes team glory for strong hosts
Her Belgian teammate Jana van Lent, who was fifth in the senior women’s race in the Antalya 2024 SPAR European Cross Country Championships is also hopefully that the Belgian support will be a factor across the weekend.
Racing in the women’s 10km, she is hopeful that the spirit of Brussels 2023 - where she finished seventh in the women’s U23 race - will be rekindled.
“I am really looking forward to running in front of the Belgium people, it will be a big party,” she said. “It was really crazy in Brussels (2023), I had goosebumps. I think it will be even crazier (this time), because everyone can participate, I think it will give us an extra boost.
With a powerful home team, including Lisa Rooms (PB: 31:47), Roxanne Cleppe (32:04) and Julie Voet (32:29), Belgium have a solid chance of team success too.
“It pushes each other to a higher level,” said van Lent of the strength in depth of Belgian endurance running. “I think it’s a good thing also for a team medal. I think (the) Italian team are also very strong. For gold it will be very difficult but maybe another medal?”
Saturday (12) will see the half marathons take place in Leuven and Sunday brings the marathon starting in Brussels and finishing in Leuven, which will also host the 10km races with individual and team medals available in all categories.
Chris Broadbent for European Athletics