31,000 participants for the 10 miles, 6500 for the Short Run and 2500 for the Persil Kids Run. The total of 40,000 runners – 2500 more than last year – broke all records for the 38th edition of the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles on Sunday. The chilly temperatures did not spoil the fun, the sun even came out eventually. Everybody enjoyed the running high day, with Alex Kibet and Imana Truyers winning the 10 Miles. The event attracted a total of over 100,000 people to Antwerp.
Between 1:05pm and 3:05pm, 31,000 participants of the 10 Miles took off in five different start waves from Gloriantlaan on the Left Bank. Around 5:30pm, the last runner crossed the finish line on August Vermeylenlaan. The revamped course allowed participants to enjoy sweeping views of Antwerp’s skyline along Galgenweel, before diving into the Kennedy Tunnel for a run past the most striking landmarks of the Right Bank: The Butterfly Palace, the KMSKA, a view of the cathedral, the MAS… For the first time, the programme also featured a passage through cosy Kloosterstraat.
Thanks to the collaboration with Qmusic, there was even more ambiance than usual on and around the course: DJs Maarten & Dorothee at Bolivarplaats and Ulrike d’Hauwer at the MAS, a radio studio at the finish zone, Tom De Cock as speaker at the finish, an after party at the studio, … All of that in addition to all the other familiar ingredients that characterise the unique festive running atmosphere of the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles: cheering zones on the Leopold de Waelplaats and Hessenplein, a DJ or band providing musical support at least every kilometre, … And, of course, the vocal support of tens of thousands of spectators lining the road.
Kibet and Truyers triumph
After passing the MAS, the runners reached the Left Bank again via the Waaslandtunnel, for the last kilometre towards the finish. The man who covered the 10 miles (16 km) fastest was Alex Kibet. The Kenyan, who has lived in Leuven for more than a decade, took 47 minutes and 21 seconds. Nicolas Saké (47:29) and triple winner Michael Somers (47:48) completed the podium. Among the women, Imana Truyers (57:25) won ahead of Karen Van Proeyen (58:38) and Jolien Denis (58:46).
The Baloise Antwerp Short Run, a beautiful 6 km run between Galgenweel and the banks of the Scheldt, which started at 11:30am, was won by Reda Aouragh (18:15). Among the women, Sofie Van Accom (20:39) set the fastest time. The very youngest participants were allowed to kick off the Persil Kids Run on Sunday morning at 10:30am, it is a fun run of 1.5 km that is not timed and tailored to runners aged between 4 and 12.
Traditionally, many politicians also put on their running shoes for the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles. Antwerp’s mayor ran the 10 miles in 1h39:16. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and ministers Annelies Verlinden and Paul Van Tigchelt also made an appearance. Other well-known runners at the start included Tine Embrechts, Erika Van Tielen, Frank Duboccage, Sandra Bekkari, Julie Vermeire and Fien Germijns.
The Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles also welcomed a record number of 61 schools, good for 3375 children over the various distances. There were also 125 companies at the start, eager to combine a sporting challenge for their employees or customers with a pleasant get-together afterwards in the business village. Among them was title partner Baloise, which drummed up more than 900 runners.
Rendezvous in 2025
On Sunday 27 April 2025, the 39th edition of the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles will be run. Entries will open in early December. The Antwerp Marathon will be back early on Sunday 20 October. A lot of 10 Miles runners will also be at the start of the full or half marathon, 20,000 participants are expected at the start.
