Archief

This is the first time the path of the race goes through the Potterierei. I guess only habitual "cobblestone-grinders" just take them in stride...

And... the runners  are facing their first up-hill stretch. Under this watertower is a bunker, which is now being used as an archery, equipped with a four-lane shooting facility. The Derby Archers of Bruges has even installed a cafeteria on the premises.

Sixteen more days.
In the meantime, this sequence has now reached the New Testament. The Sacred Blood Procession is a depiction of three different periods :
1. The Old Testament
2. The New Testament
3. This Historical Part
Here, we have the beginning of the second part, the New Testament, which starts off with the birth of Christ.

 

Nobody expected yesterday morning's rainy weather to do a complete turnaround and, precisely at the start of the "Straight through Bruges" race in the afternoon, become really very warm. After ten kilometers of running in this heat, closing one's eyes probably helped concentrating on the intensity of the effort.

.
.Straight through Bruges" is a running competition made to measure for young and old.

.
Which one, do you think, has the better physique? This runner wearing a number or this boy gathering the sponges?

.
Runners and joggers who hate cobblestones better abstain from the "Straight through Bruges" race. Such stretches are just too plenty in Bruges. Here, the runners enter the Westmeers. The street, of course. And the terrace of the "Dolle Dries" (Crazy Dries) was quite a nice observation spot.

Towards the Jan Van Eyck square, ambiance and public assistance were rather lacking. Typical Belgian behaviour. Compare this with the enthousiasm of the millions of people along the path of the New York Marathon, where all runners, from the first to the last, are greeted and applauded.

A few more snapshots of the .Straight through Bruges" race. The people frm Bruges did participate in great numbers.