13,000 hikers prepare for start of Dodentocht in Bornem

The starting gun of the 55th annual Dodentocht, or Death March, will be fired in Bornem this/Friday evening at 9 pm. The 100-km hiking event is once again sold out with 13,000 participants.

The Dodentocht will again start at the sports and recreation domain Breeven in Bornem, Antwerp province, in two starting zones. The hikers will finish, as tradition dictates, in the centre of Bornem.

The route was adjusted more than in other years, however, partly to improve the safety of participants along the way. First, there is a loop in Bornem itself, after which the route goes past Ruisbroek, Kalfort, Lippelo, Opdorp and Buggenhout. The 'halfway' checkpoint is in Opwijk after 55 km.

In the second section, the hikers head towards Baasrode via Opstal, before heading to Sint-Amands and Park Fort Liezele. Via Puurs and Oppuurs, they then turn back to Bornem.

The organisation is again relying on a lot of volunteers, more than 1,300 this time. Besides control and supply posts, the Red Cross will also be on hand to care for those in need.

The first finishers are expected at the finish line as early as Saturday morning. Traditionally, these are participants who cover the distance while running. The goal is to finish within 24 hours, but there is no winner: the Dodentocht remains explicitly not a competition.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Hikers at the 49th edition of the 'Dodentocht' on 11 August 2018 © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}