13k Runners Expected for 16th ING Night Marathon

The sixteenth edition of the ING Night Marathon Luxembourg will take place on Saturday 20 May 2023.

According to organisers step by step SA and the City of Luxembourg (Ville de Luxembourg - VdL), more than 13,000 runners have registered to take part in this year's ING Night Marathon Luxembourg, which will kick off at Luxexpo The Box in Luxembourg-Kirchberg on 20 May at 19:00.

The 42.195 km circuit will take participants through the districts of Kirchberg, Limpertsberg, Belair, Merl, Hollerich, Gare and the city centre, bringing them back to the starting point.

Race director Erich François attributed the 15% increase in registrations (compared to the last edition) in part to the "From Office to 42" action launched in January 2023- an initiative supported by Luxembourg's Ministry of Health, the European Commission and the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce. From mid-January, the ING Night Marathon Luxembourg organising team offered free running training accompanied by a personal trainer.

"The first year after the pandemic, people were still cautious; the second year caution turned into convenience," noted Erich François. "The home office had the effect of drowning in videoconferences and emails the usual and mutual motivation between colleagues to finally get back to sport. With the 'From Office to 42' initiative, we wanted to inspire everyone who has become immobile during the pandemic to get some fresh air and remind them of the importance of physical exercise for everyday well-being."

This also applies to young people, who can now take part in the "Unity Run 42" relay race. Pupils from three Luxembourg schools (Lycée Privé Fieldgen, Lycée Aline Mayrisch and the International School of Luxembourg) will run the total distance of the marathon (but just 1 km per pupil). The co-initiator and organiser of this action is Fernand Schaber, President of Unity Foundation, a charitable organisation that engages in educational projects around the world. All proceeds from the "Unity Run 42" project will be donated to the Unity Foundation. "I would be happy if next year we not only have the three schools at the start, but that pupils and schools from all over the country are present," said Fernand Schaber.

The route, modified last year, will largely remain the same for this new edition. Nevertheless, the end of transformation works in Place Guillaume II will mean the return of this hotspot, where the marathon and half-marathon routes diverge. The route through the Limpertsberg district has been widened by a few metres.

A party with a DJ and light show will await participants at the end.

In addition to the classic distances such as the marathon and the half-marathon, the event offers a relay race (Team Run) for four running enthusiasts who can share the marathon route.

In parallel with the ING Night Marathon Luxembourg, the fifth edition of the "Roll & Run" event will take place in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg on 20 May at 18:00. This race is aimed at athletes who use wheelchairs, racing wheelchairs, Hoyt running chairs, "joëlettes", prams, skateboards, longboards, snakeboards or scooters.