Soufiane Bouchikhi has won the 48th Egmond half marathon. The Belgian athlete crossed the finish line after 1 hour and 7 minutes and 30 seconds. Among the women, top favorite Nienke Brinkman was the winner. She crossed the line after 1 hour, 18 minutes and 23 seconds.
For the first time in two years, the Egmond half marathon. After the starting gun, the men and women walked seven kilometers on the beach. A true war of attrition for the women, because Andrea Deelstra had a big lead over the rest. She was the first to leave the beach at Castricum. She was followed by Anne Luijten and behind her was a leading group including Nienke Brinkman, Jill Holterman, Bo Ummels and Ruth van der Meijden.
Deelstra also remained the fastest in the dunes for a long time, but was overtaken by Brinkman. Christiaan Bosselaar was the first man to leave the beach. He was then overtaken in the dunes by Soufiane Bouchikhi. The Belgian was followed by a leading group with Stan Niesten, Bjorn Koreman and Noah Schutte. Bouchikhi overtook Deelstra after 54 minutes.
Unapproachable
In the last kilometers Bouchikhi turned out to be unbeatable and he crossed the finish line first. The best Dutchman was Khalid Choukoud, who finished behind Bouchikhi.
Brinkman was the best woman.