Solomon Belayneh is the winner of the 19th edition of Sunday’s Brussels Airport Marathon. The 28-year-old Ethiopian, who came third in the past two editions of the Brussels 20 km race, completed the distance in a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes and 53 seconds. Belgians Sam Gabriëls (2h26'14) and Benoît Haegeman (2h28'17"), youth coach at Anderlecht, were second and third.
America's Liz Romo, who covered the 42.195 km in 2 hours, 51 minutes and 28 seconds, won the women’s marathon. Britain's Helena Sexton (3 hours, 7 minutes and 34 seconds) was second and Stéphanie Garnier (3 hours, 9 minutes and 7 seconds) was third.
The runners faced a new course, with a ‘royal’ finish in the centre of Brussels, in front of the royal palace. After a lap through the city centre for all participants, they disappeared into the Annie Cordy Tunnel, before exploring Brussels' greener areas including Ganshoren Marsh and the parks of Jette.
The event also included a half marathon won by three-time Brussels 20km race winner Amaury Paquet in a time of 1 hour, 5 minutes and 28 seconds. Valentine Mathy was victorious in the women’s half marathon in a time of 1 hour, 16 minutes and 29 seconds.
Some 18,500 participants of more than 100 nationalities appeared at the start of events on Sunday, a record, according to the organisers.