The Spine Winter Race, As Brutal As It Gets
Some weeks ago, I finished The Spine Winter race. Here are some afterthoughts, flashbacks, reminders to self, … And possibly, some snippets of information useful to others, who knows… Emotional […]
Auteursarchief: Sander Boom
Nord Trail Monts de Flandre, 80 km of Pure Joy
I started to appreciate French Flanders some time ago. Historically part of the prosperous County of Flanders in medieval times, scene of some of the bloodiest battles in World War […]
Of Heroes and Legends
Pushing your body to its limit, why would someone do that? Five runners face the biggest challenge in the Benelux: finish four ‘ultra-trail’ races within a time frame of 10 months. To do this they have to cover a total of 730 kilometers with more than 15,000 altimeters (almost twice the altitude of Mount Everest). Who of the runners will overcome the distance, the circumstances and themselves?
Come on pilgrim… Ut4M XTREM on Sandals
“You better finish this time, we are not coming back to Grenoble next year.” I think about Sofie’s words. That was yesterday afternoon. A couple of minutes ago, the somewhat […]
In the Footsteps of Giants… Ultra Run Raramuri 2018
Alone and not alone. I smell wood fires and hear dogs barking fiercely in the distance while navigating the steep slopes deeper into the valley. No light, except for my […]
Burgos Ultra Stage Race…The Way of Legends
In a different kind of world. That’s where I have been. For more than a week. A week where a shaman cleansed my soul and my tired feet. A week […]
Velebit Ultra on Sandals: a TLE is Not a DNF*
Somewhere in Croatia, close to midnight. About 50 runners have gathered at this dark place near Baške Oštarije. Mandatory kit-check and race briefing. Please stand in line and show your […]
Transylvanian Legends
Since midnight, we have been navigating the barren landscape of these desolate highlands. No other runners in sight. No path, just prickly low vegetation on a rocky underground. We follow […]
Legend After All
When I was a young boy, I wanted to become a legend. Growing up, I realized that becoming legendary requires hard work, some recognised talent and possibly dying young. By the […]
Grand Raid des Cathares… A Barefoot Catharsis
I interrupt the endless scramble to catch my breath. Standing on the a narrow ledge, I grasp the rock face with both hands and gaze down in the mist below. Nobody’s […]
The Road To Chamonix 