Karel Sabbe Smashes HexaTrek Record in 33 Days

Belgian ultra-runner Karel Sabbe from Anzegem has set a new world record on the HexaTrek, completing the grueling 3,034-kilometer route across France in 33 days, 13 hours, and 48 minutes. The achievement, reported by VRT NWS, shatters the previous record by more than eight days and cements Sabbe’s status as one of the world’s most accomplished endurance athletes.

The Challenge

The HexaTrek is one of Europe’s toughest hiking routes, created in 2022. It runs from the German border in the north to the Atlantic Ocean in the Pyrenees, connecting 14 national parks and crossing the Vosges, Jura, Alps, Massif Central, and Pyrenees mountain ranges. With approximately 140,000 meters of elevation gain and highly variable weather conditions, the route demands nearly 100 kilometers per day for a month at record pace.

Sabbe started his attempt on July 20, 2026, in Wissembourg, France, at the German border. Despite a brief hospital stay in the opening phase, he stayed on track throughout the challenge. He reached the finish line in Hendaye, near the Spanish border, around 7 PM Belgian time on Saturday, August 22, according to VRT NWS.

Beating the Previous Record

The previous HexaTrek record of 42 days, 4 hours, and 23 minutes was set by Frenchman Thierry Danzin, nicknamed “Attila,” on July 13, 2025. Sabbe improved that mark by approximately 8 days and 14 hours, averaging over 90 kilometers per day for more than a month.

As U-Trail reports, the performance still needs to be officially validated in Fastest Known Time (FKT) databases, where the attempt was showing as “in progress” at the time of verification. Notably, Sabbe’s attempt was a “supported” FKT with a crew providing assistance, while Danzin’s record was set unsupported and solo.

A Career of Record-Breaking Achievements

Sabbe, a dentist by profession, has built a remarkable career in ultra-endurance running. According to Wikipedia, he has set records on the Pacific Crest Trail (2016 and 2023), the Appalachian Trail (2018), the Via Alpina Red Trail (2021), and the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand (2025). He also became the first Belgian finisher of the legendary Barkley Marathons in 2023.

The HexaTrek record comes at a particularly meaningful moment in Sabbe’s career. Just days before his finish, French ultra-runner Aurélien Sanchez broke Sabbe’s Pacific Crest Trail record, completing the route in 45 days, 20 hours, and 15 minutes. As U-Trail noted, Sabbe had already started his HexaTrek attempt three days before Sanchez finished the PCT, creating a remarkable “distance duel” between the two athletes.

Teamwork Behind the Achievement

Sabbe’s success was built on more than individual endurance. His crew, consisting of family and friends, followed him in a camper, providing dry socks, shoes, and logistical support at stops along the route. As Sabbe himself said before the attempt: “A challenge like this is not just about covering kilometers. It’s an adventure where preparation, trust, and teamwork are at least as important as physical condition.”

The crew echoed this sentiment, noting that “that close collaboration has been an important part of our success formula for years.”

The Growing FKT Debate

The record comes amid an ongoing debate in the ultra-running community about the proliferation of Fastest Known Time attempts. As U-Trail reported, some argue that FKT attempts transform contemplative hiking trails into performance venues, while others see them as the ultimate form of adventure and endurance. The distinction between supported and unsupported attempts remains a key point of discussion.

What’s Next

With the HexaTrek record now in his name, Sabbe has once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the greatest ultra-endurance athletes of his generation. The performance must still be formally validated in FKT databases, but the achievement has already captured the imagination of the endurance sports world. For Sabbe, who has made a career of pushing the limits of human endurance, the question is not whether he will take on another challenge - but which one will be next.