On Sunday, March 8, 2026, we will set Gentbrugge buzzing during Bashir’s Run. Our athletes, dressed as Fairtrade bananas, will run the half marathon and attempt to break a world record. The goal? To have fun, make a difference together, and draw attention to a living wage for banana workers.
Bananas are the most popular fruit in Belgium, but behind that sweet piece of fruit lies a harsh reality. Millions of workers in the banana sector do not earn a living wage. This means they struggle to pay for basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare and education.
Fairtrade tackles this inequality at its root by:On March 8, the Banana Run will follow the course of Bashir’s Run in Gentbrugge.
Among the 25 runners dressed as Fairtrade bananas, two well-known athletes will take part: Samuel de Graef and Gudrun Hespel. Together, they will run the half marathon to convey a strong message: behind our bananas are people who deserve a fair income and decent working conditions.
Gudrun Hespel combines sport, discipline and wellbeing. During the Banana Run, she takes on a double challenge: running for fair trade and attempting to break the world record for the fastest half marathon dressed as fruit. A commitment that perfectly aligns with her responsible vision of sport and nutrition.
As winner of the Turbo Cross Hofstade and a lover of sporting challenges, Samuel de Graef (alias SACHI) constantly pushes his limits. At 27 years old, he adds the Banana Run to his achievements to give extra meaning to his performance. Running in a Fairtrade banana costume is, for him, a playful yet committed way to raise public awareness about the impact of our consumption choices.
Our athletes, dressed as Fairtrade bananas, are taking on a major challenge. But they cannot do it without you! Run alongside them and show your support along the way.
Do you want to commit to a fairer world while taking on a sporting challenge?&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fairtrade.net%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE
When: March 8, 2026
Distance: Half marathon (21 km)
Where: Bashir’s Run (Wouter Weylandt Stadium, Frederik Burvenichstraat 171, Gentbrugge)
On the registration page, first click on 21 km and then select “yes” for the Banana Run.