Record 17k Runners to Participate in 18th Edition of ING Night Marathon Luxembourg

On Monday 19 May 2025, the City of Luxembourg (VdL) held a press conference ahead of the 18th edition of the ING Night Marathon Luxembourg.

Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer, Chief Alderman Maurice Bauer, Alderman for Mobility Patrick Goldschmidt, Municipal Councillor Simone Beissel, Luxembourg Athletics Federation (FLA) Treasurer Roland Draut, ING Luxembourg’s Head of Corporate Services Barbara Daroca and Erich François, Founder and Managing Director of step by step SA (organisers of the ING Night Marathon), shared details of the upcoming event, which will take place on Saturday 31 May 2025.

Erich François explained to Chronicle.lu that the event counts a record 17,000 participants this year. “This is the highest number we have ever had in Luxembourg. 17,000 runners on the streets of Luxembourg,” he said. “We are back again where we stopped, at the last edition in 2019. Before the pandemic, we had around 16,000 participants. Now we're at 17,000. So, we are really growing again.”

The 2025 edition of the ING Night Marathon Luxembourg will feature runners from 59 countries, with the 42.195 km circuit passing through the grounds of the LUGA- Luxembourg Urban Garden horticultural exhibition, which is taking place from Wednesday 7 May to Saturday 18 October 2025. In addition to the marathon, the programme includes a half marathon, a team relay (Team Run) and the 5K Run For Success, described as a “thrilling opportunity” for beginner runners. Young participants can take part in the Minimarathon (for ages twelve and up) or the Mini Minimarathon (for those under twelve), while the Roll&Run allows individuals to complete a 7 km course “on wheels” through the Limpertsberg district.

According to the organisers, participants will have up to six hours to complete the marathon. The circuit, which features elevation changes and winding sections, does not lend itself to record-breaking times but is widely considered a “celebration” for sports enthusiasts and those drawn to a physical challenge. Athletes will run through Luxembourg City, supported by thousands of spectators and energised by 65 music stations featuring DJs and percussion groups.

Erich François noted that the ING Night Marathon Luxembourg maintains traditions that set it apart from other races, including a challenging, non-flat course and the presence of 520 musicians along the route, roughly one every 80 metres, contributing to a lively atmosphere throughout the city. "And we try to do other things to make people come to Luxembourg because Luxembourg normally is not on the map of everybody. Paris, Berlin, London is on the map of everybody. [For] Luxembourg, you really have to do something special. And this is where you have so much event in the organisation where we have lots of parties. I think it's one of the biggest parties in Luxembourg and people from everywhere in the world, they love it to come to Luxembourg for this," he told Chronicle.lu.

The organisers reported that around 60 staff members and a core organising team of eight people contribute to the event’s success. Medical support includes three emergency doctors, first aid teams and about 30 physiotherapists based at Luxexpo The Box in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

The marathon begins at Luxexpo in the early evening and takes runners through the Kirchberg district, past landmarks such as the Philharmonie and MUDAM, before crossing the Red Bridge into the city centre. The route continues uphill through Limpertsberg and into the historic old town, where spectators gather along the streets.

In Place d’Armes, the paths for the half marathon and full marathon separate. Full marathon participants proceed through Belair and the central station (Gare) area, with various public activities and support along the way. The circuit then returns to Kirchberg, where runners pass illuminated installations near MUDAM and the Dräi Eechelen Museum.

In the final kilometres, participants have the option of being joined by a support runner. The finish line at Luxexpo marks the end of the race and the beginning of post-run activities, with an opportunity for runners to gather and unwind.