The Hautes Fagnes club's bid to organize the next Belgian short and long trail championships has been accepted. The event will build on the success of the original and current Grand Trail des Lacs et Châteaux. Dates: the weekend of May 13 and 14, at Ovifat.
The two distances will be the same as this year: 43 km for 1800 m D + (Sunday) and 85 km (Saturday) for 3480 m D +. These will, of course, be Open races, and only those registered with a club recognized by the Belgian Athletics Federation will be able to compete for the various titles at stake.
At the Ohm trail, where the last nationals were held last June, the official announcement comes as a surprise.
"In the discussions we had with the LBFA prior to the National 2022, we were in full agreement that we would organize in 2022 and 2023," explains Greg Leclercq, for Ohm Trail. "We were even ready to apply to host the 2024 European Championships. We had also created this 80 km distance, especially for these championships, even though it required a great deal of extra preparation, work and volunteers. I'm very disappointed, but I'm also very happy for the GTLC. Their courses are superb and they do an excellent job. I think it's very cavalier of the League, in fact..."