The sold-out 55th edition of the 'Death March' (Dodentocht in Dutch) will take place this Friday and Saturday (9 and 10 August). It is one of the most unique events in the country, which sees thousands of people brave a walk of 100 km.
Avid walkers will line up in Bornem (Antwerp) at around 21:00 on Friday evening to start their attempt at the Death March, trekking 100 km through rough and forested terrain in the area around Bornem. A maximum of 13,000 people can participate in the march, which they must finish within 24 hours. Last year, 8,122 of the 11,613 Dodentocht participants had crossed the finish line by the closing time at 21:30 on Saturday.
Despite the ominous name, the trek is not considered dangerous: only one death has been reported during the event since the first edition in 1970 (a man died of a heart attack just before the finish line in 2010). Most people who drop out before reaching the finish do so as a result of exhaustion or an injury.
This year marks the second fully-fledged edition since 2019, as it was cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and shortened due to the extreme heat in 2022. The event remains hugely popular: all tickets for this year's edition were sold out as early as May.
The 2018 'Death March'. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
Organisers do not work with a waiting list, but people can buy a ticket from someone who can no longer participate.
New route
The Dodentocht route undergoes changes every year, largely due to roadworks. However, this year the route will be significantly different from previous editions, mainly to take into account road safety and streets that are too narrow to handle the influx of over 10,000 walkers.
Organisers confirmed that only 30% of the route will be retained, with several key sections being scrapped. The starting zone, however, will not change: as in past years, it will be at Breeven in Bornem. As usual, the finish line is again in the centre of Bornem.
This year's route.
There will be several checkpoints along the route, where each walker receives free supplies. "Because you need a great deal of energy as a walker, it goes without saying that the greatest care is taken with the supplies," the organisers noted. "We offer fruit, yoghurt, speculoos, biscuits, eggs sandwiches, coffee, tea, soup and sports drinks."
At the halfway checkpoint, participants can enjoy an easily digestible hot meal that is rich in carbohydrates. Water tap points are also set up in front of each checkpoint where participants can fill their bottles.
Every year, an ecumenical prayer service takes place in Bornem's Abbey Church the day before the start of the Death March (this year on Thursday 8 August). Participants can have their walking shoes blessed during the service. The church celebration is followed by a gathering of walkers on the nearby Scouts site.
