New record for AG Belgian Coast Walk: more than 5,000 walkers

Participants can choose between four different distances. In the arrival town of Knokke-Heist there is a local loop of 10 km. Those who like to have some extra kilometers in their legs can opt for the 25 km (starting place De Haan), 42 km (starting place Ostend) or the 80 km route between De Panne and Knokke-Heist. On Saturday, more than 1000 experienced hikers walked the entire Belgian coast in one day.

“Going our full coast is increasingly on hikers’ bucket lists. We see that number growing every year. The concept is a success, especially because of the atmosphere and experience along the way and at the finish”, says Greg Broekmans of organizer Golazo.

Varied track

When you think of the Belgian coast, you think of sun, sea and beach. However, the AG Belgian Coast Walk is much more than a long beach walk. In collaboration with Wandelsport Vlaanderen, organizer Golazo has mapped out a varied and challenging course. Straight through dunes and forests, over the dike and along the proud harbor areas. Of course, the passages on the beach will not be missing.

There are sufficient supply stations along the way. There are eight locations on the 80 km course where walkers can regain their strength. There are four and two supply stations on the 42 km and 25 km routes respectively. The organization aims for an edition with as little waste as possible. Disposable cups on the trail are taboo.

Heidi Delobelle, CEO of AG: “The AG Belgian Coast Walk is a project that is particularly close to our hearts because it fits perfectly with our brand strategy. As an insurer that attaches great importance to prevention, we want to encourage as many people as possible to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Regular and sufficient exercise is very important in this and walking is the ideal sport. We also attach more and more importance to the impact on the environment. In the run-up to this event, we encouraged the participants via social media to link the useful to the pleasant and to start plogging during their preparation. During the Coast Walk itself, an AG team will also help to keep the course clean.”

live tracking

Those who would like to follow or encourage the participants along the way can use the live tracking. By means of a chip on the starting card, the home front can closely follow the walkers of the 42 and 80 km. The passage will be registered at each resting point.

At the finish, the walkers are treated to a well-deserved St. Bernardus Extra4 and can show off their unique medal. Participants of the 80 km will also receive an exclusive finisher T-shirt upon arrival. You can enjoy the afterglow of the sporting effort in the cozy St. Bernardus café on the events beach in Knokke-Heist.

Foundation Against Cancer and Too Crazy?!

In collaboration with title partner AG Insurance and the Stichting Tegen Kanker, there will also be three SMOT posts from Sundo on the course. In Ostend, De Haan and Knokke-Heist, participants can apply sunscreen in good time thanks to the intelligent distributors of sunscreen. Protection against UV rays remains an important weapon in the fight against skin cancer. The Foundation Against Cancer is therefore one of the two charities of this walking event.

The second charity is Te Gek!? for the fourth year in a row. Making Mental Health a topic of discussion is their mission. This year ‘Het Hoofd’ will be present at the finish. This is a gigantic metal construction that hangs in the air. Coordinator Marc Hellinckx: “The head is a concept by our conceptual artist Sven unik-id. It hovers high above the finish site but descends at regular intervals to give participants and supporters a chance to feed their heads with ‘food for thought’. These are strips of textile on which you can write a personal message/thought for the (or your) head. People then receive a piece of ‘food for thought’ that they can tie around their head or wrist. It reads: ‘I’m Too Crazy!?. You too?’ That’s how Te Crazy!? make it clear that we are all vulnerable.”