Bornem (Eurotoday) – The 56th Dodentocht in Bornem saw 12,643 participants complete a 100 km walk in 24 hours. Early finishers included Hingene’s Peter Bollen and Puurs’ Stefan Dusaert, with 246 quitting at Kalfort.
As GVA News reported, the 56th Dodentocht started today, Aug 9, 2025, in Bornem, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, with 12,643 participants. They are attempting to complete a 100-kilometre walk in 24 hours. Many walkers came from different places to join. 246 people quit at Kalfort. But, almost 12,000 walkers kept going. Most walkers were seen between Buggenhout and Opwijk this morning.
Who were the early finishers in the 56th Dodentocht 100km?
Just before 7 a.m., on Aug 9, 2025, the 1st finishers of the Dodentocht reached the end of the 100-kilometre route. Around 50 runners completed the walk. Some of the early finishers were local athletes. Peter Bollen from Hingene was one of them, who completed the full distance.
An early finisher of the Dodentocht said the first part of the 100-kilometre event was tough. He needed time to adjust his pace and find his rhythm. Support from other runners and cheering crowds helped him keep going. He finished together with his brother-in-law. At first, he was around 50th place but slowed to join others for the final stretch. He added that good pacing made the difference.
Stefan Dusaert from Puurs said the 100-kilometre Dodentocht was tough. He joked that people forget the pain from the last time they joined the event. This year, his daughter told him to try to finish with the first group, which he had never done before.
He said it was hard but also enjoyable. While he celebrated his result, many other runners and walkers were still on the route. They have until 9:30 p.m. tonight to finish and receive the Dodentocht medal and diploma.
What is the Dodentocht, and
Comments
9 responses to “Bornem: First runner completes 56th Dodentocht 100km in 10 hours”
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Just what I needed to hear—nothing screams “enjoyment” like walking 100 km for a medal that probably ends up collecting dust! 😅 Bravo to those who finished, but I bet the real winners are the folks binge-watching Netflix on the couch! 🍕💤
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Looks like the only thing tougher than a 100 km walk is convincing those 246 quitters to try a good Belgian waffle instead! 🍻🇧🇪
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Just another casual stroll for 100 km, eh? I suppose if you can’t find a good pub, walking all day is the next best option! 😂🍻
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Looks like a casual stroll for the first finisher, eh? Meanwhile, the rest of the contenders are still out there questioning their life choices—24 hours to walk 100km, who thought that was a good idea? 😂🚶♂️
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Oh, 100 km in 10 hours? Clearly, these folks missed the memo that “walking” can also mean a leisurely stroll to the pub! 🍺🏃♂️
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Completing 100 km in 10 hours? Well, someone clearly missed the memo that it’s a stroll, not a sprint! 😂 Maybe next year they’ll add a coffee break for those of us who like to savor the scenery. 🥴☕
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Looks like the real endurance test isn’t the 100 km, but actually convincing your feet to keep moving after 10 hours! 🤣 Must be a great way to bond with the pavement – who needs a spa day when you have blisters, eh? 🥴
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Completing 100 km in 10 hours? Bravo, gentlemen! I bet my morning jog to the bakery feels like a sprint in comparison. 🥐💨
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Impressive, isn’t it? 100 km in 10 hours, while the rest of us struggle to walk to the pub and back without needing a pint break. 🍻💪
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