Spa Francorchamps marathon
Eau Rouge flat out
8.3.2025



Spa Francorchamps here I come

I have visited four F1 race before: Suzuka, Monza, Indianapolis, Monaco but not Spa Francorchamps, which would be on my top-3 races (with Monaco and Suzuka). I was not going to see the F1 race this time either, but going to race myself. Unfortunately the season of the track was not started yet and no possibility to rent-a-drive. I had to do my six laps around this 7km cirtuit 6 times by my own feet.

Those who follow F1 races, might know the famous Eau Rouge. It is a curvey downhill-uphill right-left combination that is famouse due to its many crashes. Only the best drivers go through it flat out without lifting the gas pedal. Kimi "iceman" Räikkönedoes it even through smoke screen. I was going to do the same: Eau Rouge - flat out. Only gravitation can slow me down.

Not everyone realize the steepness of the Eau Rouge, and the hilliness of the entire 7km course. It is in mountain area and have several ups and downs. Eau Rouge itself is not long but steep. In total, one lap has 190m elevation gain, counting in total 6x190m = 1140m during the full marathon.

Race statistics

Ranking: 28/139
Time: 3:40:29
Pace: 5:14 min/km
Weather: +xx C (hum. 83%)
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 were:
7 km: 1083 14 km: 1914 21 km: 1436 42 km: 139

Conclusion

A bit complex three day travel (Joe-Hel-Brussells-Spa-Antwerpen-Ams-Hel-Joe) which I split into smaller pieces to make it slow travel. I spent every night in different city parts to keep it enjoyable. Spa-Francorchamps was a bit dull country-side place, besides the race track and the marathon. I managed to have a glance of Brussell, Liege, Verviers, Leuven and Antwerpen. Only Brussell I knew beforehand. Based on these short visits, Belgium seems relaxed place to travel.

Overall, very nice trip. It was fun to go around the F1 circuit. If I counted correctly, this was my 57'th marathon, and 30'th country. I hope to have one more before the summer. Some travel pics belows.