Running a marathon while juggling? The incredible world record of Belgian Benjamin Balbeur
09/04/2025 22:55Running a marathon is already a challenge. Doing it while juggling three balls over 42.195 km? It seems almost unreal. But doing it at a pace of 3:59/km is an extraordinary feat. Benjamin Balbeur, a 36-year-old Belgian runner, accomplished this unusual feat at the Namur Marathon 2025.
The result? A new world record of 2:47:52. Remarkably, he managed to maintain his juggling throughout, or nearly so.
| When running and juggling intertwine
For Benjamin Balbeur, a Belgian runner from Bouraing, running and juggling are not just hobbies: they are passions he pursues with enthusiasm. “I love running, I love juggling. I discovered there was a world record for marathon juggling. The time to beat was 2:50, exactly my best marathon time. So I decided to give it a try,” he shared after the race.
And it was a good decision. Not only did he manage to stay under the symbolic 2:50 mark, he shaved more than two minutes off the record, crossing the finish line in 2:47:52, maintaining an average pace of 3:59/km. For an amateur runner, it’s an impressive performance. For a juggling marathoner, it’s utterly astounding.
| Balls (almost) always in the air
The discipline is called “joggling” — a combination of jogging and juggling — which demands a strict rule: keep the three balls in motion throughout the race. Each drop requires stopping, resuming juggling, and then continuing the run. In Namur, Benjamin had to comply with this sixteen times, six of which were in the last three kilometers. The course wasn’t exactly flat, with an elevation gain of 299 meters and a drop of 293 meters.
“The race started well, but things got tougher after the 25th kilometer. My legs felt heavy, and fatigue made it hard to stay focused on the juggling,” he explained. Just 1.5 km from the finish, he nearly stumbled. But he persevered, driven by a goal beyond just time: to become a finisher.
| A record, but above all a human adventure
This marathon will remain etched in Benjamin’s memory, not only for the challenge he overcame but for the energy he felt during this journey. “More than 50 friends and loved ones were cheering me on throughout the course. The group’s support really lifted me,” he recounted after crossing the finish line, still moved by his performance.
Though his time places him 8th overall in the marathon, what stands out for the runner from Bouraing is the human adventure. The surprised looks of spectators, the amused cheers of children, the outstretched hands, the shouts of encouragement at every turn… All these little moments make a marathon more than just a solitary effort.
Even if the record is not officially recognized by Guinness World Records, the achievement is certainly real. On paper, the previous mark was held by Canadian Michal Kapral (2:50:12 in 2014). Benjamin has truly pushed the limits of joggling in line with its standards, in a measured and timed race.
But for him, this “official” recognition is secondary. “The important thing was the personal challenge. I’ve always liked to venture off the beaten path. I tried trail running while juggling, saw that I didn’t lose much time… So why not a marathon?”
Looking ahead, Benjamin has no plans to hang up his running shoes. His next goal? A triathlon, set for this summer at Moulin de Boiron. New sport, new playground… but with the same drive to surpass himself.
Benjamin Balbeur’s story is that of an unusual runner, reminding us that running can also be a field for expression, play, and creativity. By blending sporting rigor with whimsical delight, he has written a new chapter in the history of running. A chapter that makes us smile… and inspires us to believe that sometimes, all it takes is daring to achieve the impossible. Even a world record on the king distance while juggling.
