The 56th edition of the Dodentocht (Death March) in Bornem has concluded successfully, with 9,276 of the 12,643 participants who started on Friday evening reaching the finish line.
The final walkers were registered at the finish line in Bornem around 21:45 on Saturday. Over 73% of the participants completed the event, while 3,367 withdrew along the way. More than 10,000 people reached the checkpoint at 62.5 kilometres, but many who did not finish retired due to fatigue, blisters, or gastrointestinal issues.
The Flemish Red Cross set up seven aid stations along the route, assisting 1,877 walkers. Half of the treatments were for blisters, accompanied by treatments for muscle pain, fainting, fractures, and bruises. Eight people required hospitalisation, mainly for scans related to potential fractures.
“This year’s numbers are in line with previous years,” said Vincent Verbeecke of the Flemish Red Cross. “We managed to handle the heat well and saw remarkably few cases of dehydration. This success is due to the organisers’ emphasis on water availability and encouraging participants to stay hydrated. It was a very good edition, largely thanks to excellent event management.”
The oldest finisher was 88-year-old Jekka Goemans, while the youngest was 16-year-old Miel Van Peteghem.
The next edition of the Dodentocht is scheduled for 14 August 2026.
