The ING europe-marathon races itself attracts some 100,000 people to the city as spectators and a further 8,000 or so participants, and this year some 500 “go))go))Girls and Boys” will cheer runners over the final few kilometres.

But the marathon is also a great excuse for a party, with the traditional Samba de Luxe celebrations kicking off the weekend on Friday evening. Samba bands will play on stages outside Urban, Bistro d’Art Scene, on the Place d’Armes, at Aldringen and on Place de la Gare between 6 and 10 p.m.

The party then continues at den Atelier and on Saturday the bands will resurface to provide vibrant rhythms for runners as they wind their way around the course.

Also on Saturday, the Unity Foundation is hosting a Street Festival in Belair to coincide with the marathon. The party, at the Unity Foundation office in allée Leopold Goebel, will include a barbecue and refreshments, entertainment and music by DJ Franky.

Party goers, who are advised to park at the Josy Barthel car park, will be cheering on the Linklaters runners (wearing purple shirts) and the marathon passes by.

As part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility, Linklaters is supporting Unity Foundation by donating €10 per kilometre for each runner in its team.

Luxemborg city