Port Oostende Charity Run returns on Saturday, 2 May 2026

On Saturday, 2 May 2026, Port Oostende will organise the fourth edition of the Port Oostende Charity Run. What started as a sporting initiative with a warm heart has grown over the past years into a fixed highlight on Oostende’s event calendar. In 2026, it once again promises to be a sporty afternoon in a unique port setting, with continued attention to solidarity and community spirit.

Participants can choose from four running distances: 4, 8, 12 or 16 kilometres, mapped out along a unique course through the port area of Oostende. Those who prefer a more relaxed pace can take part in the 4 km walk, ideal for discovering the port in an accessible way.

The route largely remains faithful to the successful course of previous editions, but this year it will again feature a few surprising elements, ensuring that both new and returning participants enjoy a special experience.

After three editions in support of 4Brain vzw, Port Oostende has consciously chosen a local Ostend charity this year. The proceeds of the Port Oostende Charity Run 2026 will go to Koninklijk Werk IBIS, an organisation that has been committed to supporting vulnerable children and young people for many years.

With this choice, Port Oostende underlines its social role and its commitment to the city and its residents.

The youngest sports enthusiasts have not been forgotten either. Children up to and including 12 years old can participate free of charge in the kids’ run of 500 metres or 1 kilometre. The distance can be chosen on site, allowing every child to take part at their own pace. The kids’ run starts at 2:00 p.m., followed by the start of all running distances at 2:30 p.m.

“The Port Oostende Charity Run has grown into an event where sport, solidarity and the port come together,” says Charlotte Verkeyn, President of Port Oostende. “It is wonderful to see employees, companies, athletes and families running together for a good cause, in a place that is not normally accessible to everyone.”

Port Oostende is a growth engine and hub of the blue economy. Port Oostende focuses on four niche growth markets: Blue Technology, Maritime Connections, Circular Industry, and Blue Food. The development of these sectors is built on three pillars: prioritizing safety, health, and the environment; supporting innovation and development; and providing maritime services.