Loenhout ( Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On July 20-21, 2025, De Notelaar in Wuustwezel held Koerske and a duathlon. Over 45 km biked, 25 km run. The duathlon raised €8,000-€9,000 for Loenhout’s Bloemencorso parade.
As VRT News reported, on July 20 and 21, 2025, the De Notelaar area in Wuustwezel held 2 local sports events. The first was “Koerske,” a bike race through the centre of Loenhout, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium.
It was the first time the race was called the Weasel Championship. Only people from Wuustwezel or those in a local club could take part. Men and women biked 9 laps of 5 kilometres. That made a total of 45 kilometres.
What does a Duathlon have to do with a flower parade?
On July 21, 2025, the De Notelaar neighbourhood held a duathlon as part of the National Day celebrations. The event was open to everyone who wanted to join. It mixed running and cycling, giving people of all levels a chance to take part.
There was also a fun race called “Chasse Patate.”In that category, runners did 5 laps of 5 kilometres each. That made a total of 25 kilometres, all on foot. The name comes from a cycling term for a solo effort that rarely wins.
The duathlon in De Notelaar starts today at 4 p.m. The race has 3 parts. First, participants run 5 kilometres. Then they ride a bike for 20 kilometres. At the end, they run again for 2 kilometres. People can join the race alone or work together in teams of 2. In a team, 1 person runs and the other rides the bike. There is also a mini-duathlon for children who are 12 years old or younger.
According to officials, the duathlon is not only about sport but also supports a local tradition. The De Notelaar community is using the event to raise money for the well-known flower parade in Loenhout, called the “Bloemencorso.”
This parade happens every year in the 2nd weekend of September 2025, and brings many people to the area. The money from the duathlon will help pay for the building of a big float. Making one float costs around €8,000 to €9,000.
In 2022, the village of Merksplas held a triathlon during their yearly fair. People of all ages took part. Some joined to race, others just for fun. The event helped raise money to fix an old chapel. Like in Wuustwezel, it was not just about sport. It brought people together and helped the village.
