With no fewer than 37,500 runners, the 37th edition of the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles welcomed a record number of participants on Sunday. 31,000 of them took part in the 10 Miles proper, 4,700 opted for the 6.8 km Baloise Antwerp Short Run and 1,800 children between 4 and 12 enjoyed the 1.8 km Kids Mile. Michael Somers and Hanna Vandenbussche were crowned winners of the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles.
The Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles is more popular than ever. On Tuesday, five days before the start of the biggest running festival of the country, registration for the 10 Miles distance was already closed as the limit of 31,000 participants set by the organisation had been reached, thereby overtaking the 2014 record, when just under 30,000 runners ran the 10 Miles. Another record was broken by the 37,500 runners spread over the three distances. Only when the Antwerp Marathon, which takes place this autumn on Sunday 22 October, was still part of the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles programme there were ever so slightly more participants.
At 1:30pm, mayor Bart De Wever fired the starting shot for the first of four starting waves of the 10 Miles at Gloriantlaan on Linkeroever. For the first time in a long time, the mayor was unable to run himself due to a cold. The last starting wave started the 16 km run through Antwerp at 2:45pm. Whereas the Kids Mile and Baloise Antwerp Short Run bathed in sunshine, the majority of the 10 Miles participants got some rain, but no heavy showers.
Shortly after the start, 10 Miles runners dived into the Kennedytunnel as tradition requires. On the other side of the Scheldt, highlights followed in quick succession with a passage past the Palace of Justice and the recently renovated KMSKA. The runners reached the Grote Markt via the Scheldekaaien. Subsequently, a new loop in the course led the enthusiastic mass of runners along the atmospheric Stadswaag and past the MAS and Felix Pakhuis. They returned to Linkeroever via the Waaslandtunnel, where the finish was located.
Along the way, the runners were met by the thousands of supporters cheering them on. One of the busiest supporters’ zones was undoubtedly the one at the Hessenplein, close to the entrance to the Waaslandtunnel, where the supporters could catch the runners three times. A bit further up, by the cheering zone of title partner Baloise at the MAS, there was a real festival atmosphere. Young DJs whipped up the runners with banging beats, giving them the welcome energy boost to cover the last kilometres.
3 in a row for Somers, first victory for Vandenbussche
Among the top runners, Michael Somers was unbeatable for the third year in a row. He set off alone after about 6 km into the race and finished after 47 minutes and 50 seconds, making him half a minute faster than Vincent Bierinckx (48:22). Pieter-Jan Hannes just managed to take third place (48:57).
Among the women, Hanna Vandenbussche was by far the strongest. She ran the 16 km in 56 minutes and 11 seconds. Just under two minutes later, Hanne De Vet finished second (58:07), Imana Truyers completed the podium (59:42).
Kids Mile & Baloise Antwerp Short Run
Even for those who set their ambitions slightly lower than the 16 km, this Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles was the running festival of the year. The 1,800 children that ran the Kids Mile (1,8 km) and 4,700 participants in the Baloise Antwerp Short Run (6.8 km) could still enjoy the sunshine. The Short Run went all the way around the Galgenweel with stunning views of the Antwerp skyline. The race was won by Reda Aouragh among the men (21:29) and Nele Van Sanden among the women (26:49).
The Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles also always attracts plenty of famous faces who venture out for the 16 km. The city’s honour was upheld by Councillors Annick De Ridder and Jinnih Beels. The Minister for the Interior Annelies Verlinden was also there as usual. She crossed the line in just under an hour and a half (1:29:28), as did VRT news anchor Fatma Taspinar (1:29:36). Tine Embrechts did it a minute better (1:28:14). ‘Average Rob’ Van Impe finished in 1:24:21, Bazart frontman Mathieu Terryn in 1:23:33 and biostatistician Geert Molenberghs in 1:14:07. TV chef Loïc Van Impe was perhaps the toughest of them all, taking 1 hour, 4 minutes and 28 seconds to run the 16 km.
Rendezvous in 2024
The 38th edition of the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles will be held on Sunday 21 April 2024. Registration will open mid-December. There is the Antwerp Marathon to look forward to on 22 October. Many 10 Miles runners will also be at the start of the full and half marathon.
