Trail Domein Het Leen 10km 21km 42km Saturday 9th February 2019 Belgium No 23
Richard 02:26:53 Jackie 02:36:58
We flew to Brussels Charleroi hired a car and drove to Gent where we were staying . The race was a trail run in the beautiful forest of the provincial domain Leen in Eeklo just half an hour from Gent . The trail run is now in its 6th year and has an entry limit of 750. The entry fee was 12 Euros and there was a choice of a mini trail (6.8km) and 1-4 laps 10.6km-21.1km-31.8km and 42.2km , leaving at various times through the day from 10am to 1pm . The half marathon which we had entered started at 11.00am and had just under 200 runners . We were the only overseas entrants but it felt very much like a home event . There was a large car park next to the start a cafe and toilets and it seemed like we were turning up to a local cross country event all very familiar . The weather was also very familiar cold windy and showers , yes we felt at home and it was great to do a run in hat a gloves . Obviously we soon got warm and muddy !! . The route was all trails through the forest and fairly flat , there was plenty of mud and puddles to splash through ,and the only difference to XC was that there was a drinks and snack station every 5 km. It was not a fast course but we really enjoyed being out in the countryside in cold weather after all the hot races we had done.
We flew to Brussels Charleroi hired a car and drove to Gent where we were staying . The race was a trail run in the beautiful forest of the provincial domain Leen in Eeklo just half an hour from Gent . The trail run is now in its 6th year and has an entry limit of 750. The entry fee was 12 Euros and there was a choice of a mini trail (6.8km) and 1-4 laps 10.6km-21.1km-31.8km and 42.2km , leaving at various times through the day from 10am to 1pm . The half marathon which we had entered started at 11.00am and had just under 200 runners . We were the only overseas entrants but it felt very much like a home event . There was a large car park next to the start a cafe and toilets and it seemed like we were turning up to a local cross country event all very familiar . The weather was also very familiar cold windy and showers , yes we felt at home and it was great to do a run in hat a gloves . Obviously we soon got warm and muddy !! . The route was all trails through the forest and fairly flat , there was plenty of mud and puddles to splash through ,and the only difference to XC was that there was a drinks and snack station every 5 km. It was not a fast course but we really enjoyed being out in the countryside in cold weather after all the hot races we had done.
No medal or T-Shirt for this one but a rose for the ladies and a bottle of cava for everyone so not bad for 12 Euros .
With having the car we were able to visit Bruges as well as Gent and they were well worth a visit . The high light was the Industrial Museum in Gent . It was called the "Manchester of the European Mainland " as it was a big center for the textile industry and Gent business man Lieven Bauwens managed to smuggle a spinning mule across the English Channel piece by piece bringing the Industrial revolution to the rest of Europe . If caught he would have faced the death penalty.
With having the car we were able to visit Bruges as well as Gent and they were well worth a visit . The high light was the Industrial Museum in Gent . It was called the "Manchester of the European Mainland " as it was a big center for the textile industry and Gent business man Lieven Bauwens managed to smuggle a spinning mule across the English Channel piece by piece bringing the Industrial revolution to the rest of Europe . If caught he would have faced the death penalty.
The Cathedrals of Bruges and Gent were wonderful and it was a pleasure to visit them . We learnt about the Van Eyck brothers who painted the Gent Altarpiece "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" an artistic masterpiece painted in 1432.
Oh and I must mention the beer and this little pub we found selling 60 different Belgium beers and not a Leffe in sight
http://cavalopers.be
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| No photos so a photo of a photo |
Oh and I must mention the beer and this little pub we found selling 60 different Belgium beers and not a Leffe in sight
http://cavalopers.be
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