First runners cross finish line of Dodentocht, 800 participants withdraw

In Bornem, Belgium, the first participants have completed the grueling 100-kilometer Dodentocht, also known as the Death March. Some eager walkers were already at the finish line before it officially opened, awaiting the moment they could cross.

Out of more than 12,000 registered participants, approximately 800 withdrew during the night. "All in all, the night passed without any significant incidents," said spokesperson Ilse Robyn. The event, which strictly emphasizes participation over competition, saw favorable weather conditions during the night, aiding the walkers.

Despite the warm temperatures, 12,759 of the 13,000 registered participants officially started the march on Friday evening. "The night passed without any significant incidents," confirmed Robyn. "It was ideal weather for walking or running. Everything went smoothly." She noted that while around 800 participants officially withdrew by scanning out at checkpoints, many others may have stopped without formally registering their departure.

The organization expects the majority of participants to arrive by late afternoon, with the final walkers anticipated around 9:30 PM, well within the 24-hour time limit for completion. The number of dropouts is reportedly in line with previous years.