From dentists turned ultra runners to visits from award-winning actors and 'Brussels in Bloom', here's The Brussels Times' weekly round-up of positive news stories from across Belgium to kickstart your weekend.
Today's positive pick
Having previously conquered the toughest ultra run in the world, a dentist from West Flanders is now on a mission to break more running records.
Karel Sabbe is currently en-route to completing the almost 4,300-kilometre Pacific Crest Trail in just under 50 days. The 34-year-old started his epic journey on 10 July from Campo in California and has his heart set on finishing by 30 August at the Canadian border.
As well as playing football and tennis as a child, Sabbe has expressed a keen interest in the outdoors since his parents first took him on hiking trips during school holidays. One of his "main life goals" is to "explore the world and different natural environments". Sabbe ran his first marathon in 2014 before embarking on New Zealand's Coast to Coast race in 2015. He has hardly stopped running since.
The dentist hailing from West Flanders was relatively unknown until March this year when he participated in the Barkley Marathon in Tennessee. He was lauded as Belgium's ultra runner for his astounding achievement, running 160 kilometres in less than 60 hours and becoming the 17th person ever to cross the finish line within the time limit.
"The Barkley Marathon was without doubt the most extreme thing I will and could ever do," Sabbe told VRT. "It was a question of physical strength, mental resilience and drawing your route with a map and compass. It took me several attempts but I finally succeeded this year."
Credit: @karelsabbe / Instagram
After testing his body to the limit, Sabbe was onto the next challenge after only a few months. Admitting that it "took him a while to find pleasure in [running] again," Sabbe was on the road again by 10 July when he began the Pacific Crest Trail.
The Pacific Crest Trail is a 4270-kilometre (2653 miles) hiking trail along the west coast of the United States, spanning the length of the country from the border with Mexico to the border with Canada. It crosses 25 national forests and seven national parks with an elevation gain of roughly 4,000 metres.
This is the second time Sabbe has attempted the trail: he completed it in 52 days for the first time in 2016. But his record was broken in 2021 by someone who took just over 51 days. Sabbe is back to prove he can do even better.
"I will have to cover between 85 to 90 kilometres a day. I hope to arrive at the border with Canada in just under 50 days... This is different from not sleeping for 60 hours; here I can plan everything better."
Sabbe uses music to set the tone. "When I start on such an adventure as the Pacific Crest Trail, I'm still mulling over what lies ahead and I unwind with classical music. At the start of a short night, music plays another role. Then it can provide calmness, acceptance and concentration. Music really makes me stay in the moment."
The ultra-runner started at Campo in California at around 19:00 local time on 10 July. The current record stands at 51 days, 16 hours and 55 minutes. To break it, he will have to run 85 to 90 kilometres per day throughout the challenge and arrive at the Canadian border by 11:00 local time on 30 August.
But Sabbe is not losing hope: he posts regularly on his social media platforms with a beaming smile. On his website he writes: "Mountain running makes me feel as free and happy as I'll ever be and [I learn from the] experience every single time to chase the limits of my mind and body."
To find updates of Karel Sabbe's journey, see here.
Other stories from this week to make you smile:
1. Brussels firefighters win gold medals at World Police & Fire Games
A total of 28 firefighters from Brussels are currently taking part in the 10-day World Police and Fire Games in Winnipeg (Canada) which kicked off on 28 July and will go on until 6 August. Read more here.
2. 'Brussels in Bloom' flower trail returns to the capital's historic centre
Brussels' historic city centre has once again been adorned with flower-topped works of art as part of the 'Brussels in Bloom' event for the first two weeks of August. Read more here.
3. AI could help radiologists screen for breast cancer, study suggests
Artificial intelligence software appears to be able to reduce the workload of radiologists in breast cancer screening, according to initial data from a study published on Wednesday. Read more here.
4. Brussels Crowe? Oscar-winning actor visits the city's Grand Place
Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe, famed for his performances in LA Confidential, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind, posted a video of himself moving about Brussels' Grand Place at 22:40 on Sunday. Read more here.
