Dodentocht Organizers Cautious on Possible Heat Shortening
With temperatures forecast to reach around 35°C on the day of Belgium’s iconic 100km Dodentocht walking event, organizers say there is “no point in speculating” about whether the course will be shortened. The 57th edition of the event is scheduled to start at 9 PM on Friday, August 14, in Bornem, Antwerp province.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI) forecasts temperatures around 35°C for the event day, prompting widespread speculation on social media about potential measures. The organization confirmed that whether the heat will have consequences for the 57th edition will be discussed Tuesday evening with security services.
“It’s still too premature to make statements about that now,” the organization said.
A Familiar Precedent
The cautious stance echoes the situation in 2022, when the Dodentocht was shortened for the first time in its 53-year history due to a heatwave. As VRT NWS reported, the course was cut by one-third to approximately 65-66.6 km after FOD Volksgezondheid (Federal Public Service Health), police, fire brigade, and the municipality of Bornem advised against organizing the full 100km.
The Dodentocht organization stated at the time: “The health risk is too great to exert heavy efforts in the announced high temperatures.” The 2022 decision imposed a finish time of 1 PM on Saturday to avoid the hottest part of the day, and additional measures included extra water distribution, shade zones at checkpoints, and free sunscreen dispensers.
The shortening generated significant public debate about whether it was a justified safety measure or excessive paternalism. Sport doctor Frank Pauwels, president of Gezond Sporten, defended the decision in VRT NWS coverage, noting that “the vast majority of people take much longer” than well-trained athletes and would face prolonged exertion in dangerous heat. Bornem mayor Greet De Bruyn echoed this: “If security services and experts say ‘no’, we cannot do anything other than follow that advice.”
However, critics like Patrick Valenbergs, a 58-year-old veteran walker from Wuustwezel preparing for his 17th Dodentocht, questioned the decision, pointing to past editions held in extreme conditions without shortening.
A Summer of Extreme Heat
The current situation closely mirrors 2022. VRT NWS weatherman Bram Verbruggen has warned of a new heatwave forming, with temperatures expected to exceed 30°C from Sunday and potentially reach 35°C or higher by mid-week. Verbruggen described this as “a standard summer of the future” due to climate change, noting that July 2026 was particularly dry with little rain expected in August.
The Transport Online report confirms that temperatures of 35°C or higher are possible by Thursday, with the possibility of a second official heatwave of the year.
What’s at Stake
With a maximum capacity of 13,000 participants since 2018, the Dodentocht is one of the largest 100km walking events in Europe, attracting walkers from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and the UK. The 56th edition in 2025 saw 12,643 participants with 9,276 finishers (73.4%), according to Wikipedia’s records.
The event starts at 9 PM and runs through the night, with participants having 24 hours to complete the course. The hottest period falls on Saturday afternoon, meaning the decision will likely focus on whether an imposed finish time is needed.
Any last-minute changes would have significant logistical implications for the organization, volunteers, police, and emergency services. The Tuesday evening meeting with security services will be crucial in determining whether the 57th edition proceeds as planned, is shortened, or receives additional heat mitigation measures.
Looking Ahead
As heatwaves become more frequent due to climate change, the Dodentocht faces a growing challenge in balancing tradition with participant safety. If the course is shortened again, it would be the second time in the event’s 57-year history, raising questions about the long-term future of the full 100km format.
The organization’s cautious approach suggests they are taking the situation seriously while awaiting the latest forecasts and security assessments. Participants and spectators alike will be watching Tuesday’s meeting closely for a decision that could reshape this year’s edition of Belgium’s most beloved walking event.