Fewer 10 miles runners taken to hospital than last year despite warmth: « No one in critical condition » (Antwerp)

Golazo, which organizes the 10 miles, can look back on a sun -drenched record edition. « For the second time in a row we are on our forty thousand participant’s limit, spread over the Kinderloop, De Korte Loop and the actual 10 miles, » says spokesperson Gert van Goolen. « All tickets were out in two days. As an organizer you can only be satisfied with that. Of course it is always a pity that we also have to disappoint people. We have a waiting list of ten thousand people. »

« Of course we would like to expand, but we have a number of limitations. If that happened, then that would have to be very well thought out and with them. All participants and supporters must also get on the spot quickly. »

Of course we would like to expand, but we have a number of limitations. If that happened, then it will have to be very thought out and with a little bit

Gert van Goolen

Golazo

Did this edition work out well? « It was very busy, » says Gert van Goolen. « There were perhaps as many participants as last year, but the nice weather provided more supporters on the side and day people in the city. It was busy on the pedestrian tunnel. Just like on the classic roads to and from the city, they were saturated at a certain moment. Unfortunately, you cannot put five extra bridges over the Scheldt today. »

« As always, we will again thoroughly evaluate this edition, with our partners at the city and at the emergency services. In addition, we also question participants and supporters, to see how they have experienced mobility. There are always useful things that come from that. »

« For the second year in a row we also inserted shuttles to get people from all wind corners of Flanders to Antwerp. We also focused strongly on animation on the right bank, to keep many supporters on that side of the Scheldt. »

Six people to hospital

It was a sunny edition. Were there more incidents due to the heat? « Six people were taken to the hospital, one of which was by the mosquito, although that was rather for certainty, » says Gert van Goolen. « Last year ten people were taken away, more than this edition. There were more interventions along the course, especially for people who were caught by the heat. There is or no one in a critical condition. »

Six people were brought to the hospital, one of which was through the mosquito, although that was rather to be sure

Gert van Goolen

Golazo

« We achieved temperatures up to 22 degrees. In advance we advised all participants to take precautions via social media and via mailing. On the course months the employees of the Red Cross participants also drink on water and, if necessary, it was easier to do. There was enough water and there were nearly a hundred medical employees, eleven ambulances and two MUGs along the trajectory. »

Next year the 10 miles will be ready for his 40th edition. Is something special on the schedule? « We’re working on that, » concludes Gert van Goolen. “It is still too early to solve something about that. Although you can be sure: we think about a few Speciallekes. « 

Antwerp gyms Stijn de Rooster (N-VA) is also talking about a good edition of the 10 miles. « Fortunately we have been saved from serious incidents, » says the ships. « The warmth did take its toll for some runners. With around 40,000 runners we have to watch over the experience. It must be pleasant. If that is not, then we will shoot with the 10 miles in our own foot. It is currently still going well to me. »

The mobility to the Left Bank remains a critical element in the event. « That is why we have called supporters to stay on the right bank. That people were able to go through the Waasland tunnel before the start was clearly a success. Mobility remains a difficult fact, but it seemed to be better than not too bad. It is therefore not necessary to reduce the number of participants. »

Ships De Rooster was satisfied with this edition of the 10 Miles, but he was less about his personal achievement. « I took 1.50 hours and that is ten minutes worse than last year, » says the schedule. « My time was not so fantastic and worse than that of De Wever. I am surprised that I did not get a message from him to rub it in again. My excuse for the worse time is that I already had 14 kilometers in my legs before I appeared at the start due to various obligations as ships. »