About 2500 participants, the large majority of them in the 10K, were set to start and finish on the track of the King Baudouinstadium. Former athlete Cédric Van Branteghem let the runners take off and joined them in the event.
Along the course the runners could discover great sights in the neighborhood of the Heysel platform, such as the Park of Laeken, the Jan Sobieski and the Osseghem Park. On the demanding and hilly course the runners were confronted with gusty winds and icy rain, interrupted by blue skies and sunshine.
The 10000m is the most emblematic event of the AG Insurance Memorial van Damme that celebrates its 40th edition in 2016. That is why 2 Smurfs joined the runners on the warm up track and presented medals at the finish line. The Smurfs are the mascots of the AG Insurance Memorial van Damme. Out of the 50 fastest performances in the 10000m, no less than 24 (!) have been set in Brussels.
Victory in the Men’s race went to Nicolas Maroye in 33’36” ahead of Ruben Max in 34’09” and Timothy Vandewattijne in 34'20". Hélène Depoortere was the first to finish in the Women’s event in 37’28”, 24” in advance of Juliet Champion and no less than 2’45” faster than third finisher Heidi Wouters. The 5K honours went to Barthelemy Yông Geldof in the Men’s race (17’30”) and to Virginie Demeyer in the Women’s race (19’26”).
24 April, 2016
