Dodentocht

The Dodentocht (Dutch for March of the Dead) is a long-distance march of 100 kilometers organized annually in Bornem, Belgium, since 1970. The grueling march derives its name from the length of the march and the rough and forested terrain. For the 2014 edition, 11,861 participants have registered; a scouting group also organises a campsite for the participants. The campsite can hold 500 people that want to arrive earlier.

History

In 45 years the Dodentocht has become one of the most important hiking happenings in Europe. It began in 1970 with 65 participants and has since grown into an event with over 11,000 hikers. Marchers have come from many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

The Dodentocht is organised by the non profit organisation 100 km Dodentocht® Kadee Bornem, assisted by the non profit Youth Centre Kadee. Approximately 600 members of the organisation are involved during the event itself. During the 2012 edition (held on 10/11 August), marchers were followed on the official site via a tracking system, utilizing small RFID tags on badges worn outside their clothing that are automatically scanned at each of the 15 checkpoints and at additional random points along the route. Many of the marchers return year after year; in 2011, Jef Kuppens finished the march for the 42nd consecutive time since the beginning of the Dodentocht, with which he was record holder at that moment.