"Something You Want to Do Once": Record Edition of Belgian Coast Walk Under Brilliant Sun

The Belgian Coast Walk concluded this past weekend, marking a record-breaking edition with an astonishing 15,000 participants lacing up their walking shoes. From the crack of dawn until well after midnight, a steady stream of determined walkers traversed the picturesque Belgian coastline, showcasing the enduring appeal of this unique event.

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Het was een topeditie

The organization, led by spokesperson Gert Van Goolen, expressed immense satisfaction with the outcome. "It was a top edition," Van Goolen stated, emphasizing that "everything went flawlessly." He attributed the event's success in large part to the "beautiful spring weather," noting the ideal conditions of sunshine without excessive heat, complemented by a favorable tailwind that aided the walkers.

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Alles verliep vlekkeloos

This year's event offered a diverse range of distances to accommodate all levels of fitness and ambition. The longest trek, an impressive 80 kilometers, commenced in Knokke-Heist at 4:30 AM. Subsequent starts for shorter distances were staged in De Haan (60km), Ostend (42km), Middelkerke (25km), and De Panne (10km), ensuring a continuous presence of enthusiastic participants along the coast throughout the day and into the night.

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Het prachtige lenteweer speelde natuurlijk een rol. Het was zonnig, maar niet te warm. En de deelnemers konden rekenen op rugwind. We zijn heel tevreden.

Among the thousands who took part were friends Ilse and Isolde, who tackled the 42-kilometer route from Ostend. For Ilse, who recently turned 50, the walk represented a significant personal challenge and a long-held aspiration. "The Belgian Coast Walk is something you want to have done once in your life. It was really on our bucket list to do this together," she shared, expressing a hope to even extend her walk beyond the 42 kilometers. The sentiment of accomplishment and shared experience was palpable, with Van Goolen observing "many tired, but above all happy faces" at the finish line.

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Ik stap graag goed door als ik aan het wandelen ben. Het is mij echt om de prestatie te doen. Ik wandel regelmatig en heb eerder al de Antwerpse Kempentrail van 35 kilometer gewandeld. Deze 42 kilometer is dus mijn nieuwe uitdaging.