Spa Francorchamps marathon
Eau Rouge flat out
8.3.2025



Spa Francorchamps, here I come!

I have seen four F1 races live: Suzuka 1999 (Japan), Monza 2000 (Italy), Indianapolis 2002 (USA), and Monaco 2005. The next one I would like to see live is Spa Francorchamps, which I consider as one of the top-3 races in F1.

Now, I was going to Spa Francorchamps but not for the F1 race, but for racing myself. This time it was going to be a foot race. There were 4 distances to choose from: 7 km, 14 km, 21 km, and 42 km. I was going for the full marathon. Spa circuit is 7 km long, which means six laps around it.

F1 fans know the famous Eau Rouge. It is a curvey downhill-uphill right-left combination that is famous due to its many crashes. Only the best drivers go through it flat out, i.e. without lifting the gas pedal. Kimi "iceman" Räikkönedoes it even through smoke screen. My motto for the was: Eau Rouge - flat out. Only gravitation can slow me down.

Besides Eau Rouge, Spa is knowns from its location far from any major cities, up in mountains. The course is not flat. Eau Rouge itself is also rather steep uphill which most people do not realize from TV screen. It is followed by long uphill Kemmel straight, then Les Combes, Bruxelles, and a long steep descend.

One lap has 190m elevation gain, which sums up to 1140m elevation for the full marathon. Nothing atypical, but more than typical races.

Travel

Flying from Joensuu to Helsinki and then Bruxelles where overnight. Next morning train to Verviers (1,5 h), bus to Malmedy (35 min), and a bit walking to the track. I stayed overnight in a small cozy hotel with walking distance.





Liege



Verviers



Race

In the morning, I walked to the nearest gate to the start, but it was closed and I needed to go to another entrance 1.5 km away. I quickly found a ride by two girls from Ing company going there by car for the 7 km race. After the short but funny conversation we reached the parking place. I thanked them and rushed to the start place to get my Bid number and finding the start place.





Race went on well, and to my surprise, I managed to keep good pace for the first two laps (4:38-4:40 min/km). The uphills surely slowed me down, but surprisingly, the steep downhill section I was speeding. It was completely runnable and, surprisingly, my knee problems did not slow me down a bit. I felt like flying.

Twice I hit the traffic. After first lap I needed to pass many slower 7 km runners who had just started their race when I reached the start line. Second time I collided the 21 km start after 5th lap. This time it was reverse: many faster 21 km runners passed me on the way up to Eau Rouge. When reaching the long downhill section, I was flying and passied back many of those who had passed me. Besides these two, my race was quiet and relaxed; there was plenty of space on the Spa Francorchamp race circuit.

The knee took it toll and slowed me down lap after lap. The last two lap I remember I was already limping. Otherwise I had good energy levels, the hills did not bother me at all, and I could make a good race. Just the limping slowed me down more and more towards the end.

Anyway, I had conquered the Spa Francorchamps! There was no chance to drive, or take a ride, on the circuit as the track would officially open for the summer season only the next weekend. It was time for me to pack my stuff and return home. Below is a numerical summary of the race.



Race statistics

Ranking: 28/139
Time: 3:40:29
Pace: 5:14 min/km
Weather: 12-16 C
Results

Splits: 
        Split:     Total:   Pace:
Lap 1   33:25   0:33:25     4:38 min/km
Lap 2   33:36   1:07:03     4:40 min/km
Lap 3   35:56   1:42:50     4:59 min/km
Lap 4   37:37   2:20:36     5:13 min/km
Lap 5   39:30   3:00:08     5:29 min/km
Lap 6   40:23   3:40:31     5:37 min/km
The number of participants: 
7 km: 1083
14 km: 1914
21 km: 1436
42 km: 139

Conclusion

On the way, I managed to have a quick glance of Antwerpen, Brussell, Liege, Leuven, and Verviers. Only Brussell I knew beforehand. Overall, very nice trip. It was fun to go around the F1 circuit. It was my 57'th marathon, and in 30'th country. I will do one more and then apply for the Country club, which I should qualify already by now. Roger and out.