20km of Brussels in sweltering heat
Up to 40,000 people are taking part and are being let loose on the Belgian and Flemish capital in several waves. It was Belgian PM Charles Michel that fired the starting shot. European Council president Donald Tusk ran the course.
Temperatures of up to 30°C are forecast and this has been a cause for concern. If temperatures of 23°C were recorded at the start, they are set to rise steadily topping 30°C this afternoon. The Brussels air is also reported to be particularly humid. Organisers have set out extra drinks stations with 350,000 bottles of water in all. Brussels firefighters are manning 3 “rain curtains” to provide refreshment for the runners.
The Red Cross is present at 14 aid stations: "Think more about your health and less about your time" seems to be this year's motto as runners are being advised to “take it easy”.