A Belgian man, Hugo Derycke (48), has decided to tackle the full 264.9 kilometre route of the Tour of Flanders by foot. On the weekend that the race takes place, Derycke will run the course, which is the equivalent of six marathons. The proceeds of the challenge will go to a Children’s cancer charity.
Derycke has undertaken a number of big challenges under the motto “Life begins @ 40” to raise money for the charity. Last year, he ran the Spartathlon, a non-stop running race from Athens to Sparta in Greece.
“The climbs start after 90 kilometres, and during the last 50 kilometres, there are eight climbs,” says Derycke. “Since the end of November, I’ve done up to 40 kilometres a day. There are also hill workouts. So I’ve ran the Paterberg, Old Kwaremont, Tiegemberg, Eikenberg and Wolvenberg a few times. During the challenge itself, there will be a helper on a bike with supplies. I’ll live on bread with butter and jam, rice cakes, pasta, bananas, sports drinks and water and cola. ”
Derycke starts on Friday, April 3rd at dawn in Oostkamp and hopes to finish on Saturday, April 4th at the finish line in Oudenaarde. On the Saturday, he will have to share the road with thousands of cyclists.
Derycke wants his stunt to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Fund. “Everyone knows someone in his family or has friends or acquaintances who are affected by cancer.”
For more information, this is Hugo’s email: hugo.derycke@gmail.com
