Antwerp Marathon: Nicolas Saké and Loes Rönne shine

Flanders, marathon country. After the Bruges Marathon on October 12, where Belgians Daan De Bock (2:26:37) and Lynn Anthierens (2:58:17) took the titles, it was time for its Antwerp cousin a week later. More than 100 years after hosting the 1920 Olympic Games, the city on the Scheldt once again drew the spotlight. 10K, half marathon, marathon... The fifth edition set an attendance record, with 20,000 participants in total, 1,000 more than last year.

He could hardly have wished for more. In front of his home crowd, Nicolas Saké claimed his first victory over the classic distance (2:21:16). With two loops on the course, from the Port House to the grandstand finish at the MAS museum via the Law Courts, the Antwerp Marathon delivered a breathless final sprint for the many spectators lining the quays. A trio made up of Nicolas Saké, Nicholas Schyns and Siebe Van Dijck broke clear around halfway, but the race was not decided until the closing metres. With one final acceleration a few metres from the line, the local runner pulled away, while Schyns (2:21:23) edged Van Dijck (2:21:23) by a whisker, seven seconds behind the winner.

Runner-up last year, Loes Rönne finally claimed the prize she had been chasing (2:47:19). Running the race on her terms, the Belgian dropped Véronique Fettweis over the final 10 kilometres, with Fettweis finishing second in 2:51:06. Katrien Verstuift just made the podium in third (2:54:51). The victory was all the more moving because Rönne raised nearly €15,000 for the Children's Cancer Fund, including support for her nephew, who has brain cancer. Actress and singer Tine Embrechts also took part, achieving her personal goal by covering the 42.195 km in under four hours (3:59:45).

Maya the Bee has struck again. Always ready for a bizarre challenge, much like Emmanuel Bonnier, Sébastien Mahia decided to go big for his 50th marathon. Dressed as a bee, the runner from Namur completed the Trek Antwerp Marathon in 2:46:47, the fastest performance ever recorded over the distance, though not officially ratified. As if that were not enough, after a short two-hour nap in a hall, he lined up for the half marathon and clocked 1:41:40. “My secret? During the week, I do nothing ,” he posted on social media.

Britain’s Alice Wright cruises to 10K victory

She took the lead and never gave it up. Opening at 4:17 per kilometre, Britain’s Alice Wright then upped the pace to win in 36:59. The marathon runner, who has a 2:28:48 personal best, raised her arms almost two minutes clear of runner-up Belgian Yara Celis (38:12). Aurillac Boury finished third in 38:52. The men’s race came down to a four-way sprint, with Gertjan Fannes taking the win in 32:49. His compatriots Jef Geerts (32:51) and Toon Keulemans (32:52) completed the podium. Sold out since the summer, the 10K also attracted Stijn De Rooster, Antwerp’s alderman for sport, and Jan Boone, CEO of Lotus Bakeries.

While some already had a beer in hand, others were warming up for the half marathon, which got underway at 2 p.m. With more than 2 km to go, Eritrean Daniel Gebru Gebreslasie opened a small gap. He won in 1:07:59, ahead of Belgians Simon D’Hoore (second in 1:08:28) and Siemen Van Camp (1:08:38). In the women’s race, Jolien Denis once again finished second on home soil, in 1:15:52. She was beaten by German Daniel Wurm, the winner in 1:15:23. Emma Boone completed the podium in third (1:20:14). Marathons.com will see you next year to find out which medal colour Jolien Denis claims.

For its fifth edition, the Antwerp Marathon sent the clocks flying, from the 10K to the 42.195 km via the half marathon. With no fewer than 54 nationalities represented, including 22% international participants in the marathon, the Belgian event confirmed its status as a major fixture on the running calendar in the land of fries.

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