Antwerp is gearing up for a record edition of the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles this Sunday. The running event, which celebrates its 38th edition, has been the biggest sports event in Flanders for years and is this year exceeding all expectations again. The actual 10 miles sold out completely several weeks ago and there are even more entries than ever for the other distances too. A total of 40,000 runners will be at the start on Sunday.
The Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles follows the trend of recent months: just about all running events are attracting remarkably more participants. The 10 Miles was already full six weeks before the event. More than 6,000 runners have already registered for the Short Run and around 2,500 are expected at the Persil Kids Run, even though people can still register for the Short Run and Persil Kids Run (for now). So those who still want to register can do so online or on the day itself while stocks last. A record 40,000 runners are expected to set off on Sunday.
Organiser Golazo continues to make deliberate innovative changes to keep the event attractive year after year. Greg Broekmans of Golazo: “This year, the course includes a lot of new features, there is a collaboration with Qmusic with lots of entertainment, we are pampering the supporters on the right bank with several cheering lanes and DJ booths, and we are focusing even more on mobility solutions. We want every runner to get maximum enjoyment.”
Course & Entertainment
The course is again undergoing some interesting changes: after the start, the approach to the Kennedy Tunnel has changed, making the stretch between the Scheldt and Galgenweel new as well. In the centre, the course runs through the pleasant Kloosterstraat for the first time. At Eilandje, there is a new loop including the Nassaubrug and MAS, which adds yet another eyecatcher to the course. This year, the Short Run goes back and forth between the Scheldt and Galgenweel.
Another novelty is the cooperation with Qmusic and the extra entertainment that brings to the course: DJs Maarten & Dorothee at Bolivarplaats and Ulrike d’Hauwer at MAS, a radio studio at the finish line, Tom De Cock as speaker at the finish, an afterparty by the studio at 5pm, … In addition, music (by a DJ or band) will be provided at every kilometre as usual and supporters can choose one of the other cheering zones, besides Bolivarplaats and MAS, on the right bank (Leopold de Waelplaats or Hessenplein).
Famous Participants
As biggest sports event, the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles also attracts plenty of famous runners every year, as is the case again this year. To begin with Antwerp’s Mayor. “Last year I had to forfeit the 10 Miles because of covid,” says Mayor Bart De Wever. “That was a really bitter pill to swallow, because the 10 Miles is without a doubt the most enjoyable running festival through the most beautiful city of Flanders. I spent almost all of 2023 suffering with the consequences of that covid infection. Since December, I have been trying to get back into shape, so this time, I am not aiming for a spectacular time. But the main thing is to have the privilege of experiencing that unique atmosphere of our 10 Miles again, together with so many other athletes, whether they are running to set a fast time or just want to have a good time. I am really looking forward to it and hope to welcome you all there!”
“I wonder if the mayor will be able to control his competitive streak”, reacts Councillor for Sport Peter Wouters. “Fortunately, you do not have to run the 10 Miles in an amazing time to enjoy yourself. Coincidence or not, the 10 Miles happens to coincide with Heritage Day again. Everyone knows that we in Antwerp spare no effort to cherish and preserve our heritage. After 37 editions, we can start considering the 10 Miles as sporting heritage. When you don’t really need a place name for your major sporting event anymore, you know you have made it. Still, as Councillor for Sport I will always add subtly that for the biggest running festival of Flanders and surroundings you have to go to Antwerp. Where else?”
Bart De Wever will be challenged at the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles in his hometown by numerous ministers: Annelies Verlinden, Paul Van Tigchelt, Zuhal Demir and Ben Weyts. Other well-known runners who will definitely be at the start: Tine Embrechts, Geert Hoste, Erika Van Tielen, Sean Dhondt, Frank Duboccage and Fien Germijns. Of course, there will also be absolute top runners who have their eye on overall victory, led by two Olympian hopefuls: Michaël Somers and Hanne Verbruggen. Their road to the Olympic marathon in Paris passes through Antwerp. Somers starts on Sunday with the ambition of scoring four in a row.
A record number of 61 schools have registered this year, good for 3,375 children divided over the different distances. There will also be 125 businesses at the start that like to combine a sporting challenge for their employees or customers with a pleasant gathering afterwards at the business village. Among them, title partner Baloise, which drummed up more than 900 runners. “At Baloise too, we noticed how popular the 10 Miles are this year”, says Liesbeth Laureys, Director Marketing & Digital Business. “No fewer than 960 enthusiastic employees and partner brokers signed up this year. That’s 150 colleagues on top of last year. Furthermore, our colleagues’ entries are linked to the UZA Foundation’s exercise programme ‘ONKLOPBAAR!’ (unbeatable). The programme lowers the threshold for patients suffering from various conditions such as cancer and Parkinson’s to resuming sports activities. For every Baloise runner who appears at the start, we will donate 15 Euros. That way, we are hoping to raise a nice amount on Sunday.”
Every participant in the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles can also make their own contribution to the Onklopbaar exercise project of the UZA Foundation. For every official runner’s shirt sold, 10 Euros will go to the Foundation. Currently, they have already raised about 24,000 Euros.
Mobility
Big crowds entering and leaving the city will also pose quite a challenge for mobility. Greg Broekmans: “We insist that participants come to Linkeroever on foot or by bike when they can or to use public transport. Those coming from further afield, can use the new shuttle buses with pick-up points all over Flanders. If you do come by car, you would do best to use the park-and-rides on the outskirts of the city. This year, we have designed a handy tool giving you the right info tailored to your needs in just a few clicks.”
Perhaps the most striking new mobility feature is that participants in the 10 miles distance this year will be able to cycle through the Waasland Tunnel before and after the race. Please note, this only applies to participants! In any case, supporters are advised to stay on the right bank, where there will be more than enough opportunities to see the runners.
Anyway, the motto for everyone is: leave for Antwerp on time on Sunday! Try to be there an hour and a half before the start of the race. Avoid the crowds on Sunday and pick up your bib number from Frederik Van Eedenplein on Friday or Saturday.
