Every year on the second Friday of August, thousands of hikers from all over Europe gather in the small Flemish town of Bornem to take on the toughest endurance challenge: 100 kilometres to be completed in less than 24 hours. Despite high temperatures, the organisers kept the full distance.

(Staff: Belgium / Sport & Lifestyle)

Every year on the second Friday of August, the small Flemish town of Bornem, located between Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent, becomes the epicentre of a legendary challenge: Dodentocht – the ‘Death March’. The 2026 edition, the 57th, saw approximately 13,000 hikers at the start line, who set off on Friday evening at 21:00 on a 100-kilometre race against the clock .

What is Dodentocht?

The story of this event began in 1970, when only 65 hikers from a local club ventured onto the route . Since then, the event has grown exponentially, and since 2009 it has consistently attracted over 10,000 participants annually. This year, the 13,000 available places sold out in just an hour and a half after registrations opened in March .

The event’s appeal goes beyond Belgium’s borders, attracting hikers from the Netherlands, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and even the United States .

Extreme heat tested the participants

An additional challenge for this year’s edition was the heatwave. The high temperatures of recent days forced the organisers to consult the Red Cross, firefighters, police and local authorities to decide on the safety of the route . In 2022, due to the heat, the route was shortened to 66.6 kilometres . This time, it was decided to keep the full distance of 100 kilometres, but with additional safety measures. These included shaded areas, extra water points (both at the start and along the entire route) and an increased presence of medical staff .

An endurance walk, not a race

Dodentocht is not a race in the classic sense of the word. Participants have 24 hours to complete the 100 kilometres, needing to cross the finish line in Bornem by Saturday evening . The route, mostly flat and paved, winds through the picturesque landscapes of the Klein-Brabant region and passes by local attractions such as the famous Duvel brewery, where participants can even get a free beer .

Support along the route and traditions

Participants are supported along the entire route by 14 checkpoints where they can find food, medical staff and golf carts to pick up those who drop out . A special tradition, adding a spiritual touch to the event, is the blessing of the shoes, which takes place on the evening before the march, at the Abbey Church in Bornem .

Completion rate and dangers

Although the challenge is an extreme one, between 60% and 70% of participants manage to complete the route. Those who reach the 100-kilometre mark receive a medal, gingerbread and congratulations . Despite preparation, ‘summit fever’ or exhaustion can lead to dropouts, and in rare cases even deaths. The most well-known incident occurred in 2010, when an experienced participant, who had completed the route five times before, collapsed 300 metres from the finish line and died of cardiac arrest .

Conclusion

Dodentocht is more than just a hike. It is an ultimate test of willpower and physical endurance, a tradition that unites thousands of people from around the world and a testament to the Flemish community spirit. This year, the challenge was even greater due to the heatwave, but the spirit of the event remains as strong as ever.