The famous Long Course Weekend sporting event will once again take place at Nieuwpoort from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 September. The concept, where you can sample three different endurance sports, can count on the 2,600 athletes participating in this edition, a 35% increase over last year. Today’s registration is also new.

Long Course Weekend is a unique multi-sport festival that brings together all triathlon disciplines. For three days, participants can choose from three sports with different distances: swimming (Friday), cycling (Saturday), and running (Sunday). You can read the full program at lcwbelgium.com.

Improved registration

For true diehard fans, there’s a Long Course Weekend option: a full triathlon spread over 3 days. Is the furthest distance a little too ambitious? Then there are the Half Long Course Weekend options: 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride, and half-marathon run. Each athlete who successfully completes the entire Long Course will take home a fourth medal on top of the medal he received per discipline.

The registration number indicates that the concept was a success. This edition can count on a 35% increase in the number of participants. Long Course Weekend welcomes no less than 2,600 athletes from various countries such as France, Sweden, Germany, England, and the Netherlands. There are 400 participants for the swimming section. The bicycle section has 800 registrations. Running courses are also popular. 1,400 sports fans are registered for this.

The event will also boost residential tourism in Nieuwpoort. About 700 participants indicated that they would be staying the night locally.

kids running

Alderman of Sport Bert Gunst (CD&V) is delighted that Nieuwpoort can once again host the Long Course Weekend: “Thanks to this event, many participants were able to experience our city in a different way. In addition, it is a good incentive to be active in sports. Thanks to different distances and disciplines, sports festivals are tailored for every type of athlete. Small children are also thought of. They can have fun at Kids Run on Sundays.”

New this year is that you can also sign up for sports component days. It is adapted to spontaneous sports decision makers. To do this, you must register with an organization in urban Vismijn.

200 volunteers

Long Course Weekend creates a lot of atmosphere and brings the local community together. This event would not exist without the collaboration with City, local entrepreneurs, and thousands of supporters who provide the necessary fun. In addition, the organization can once again count on the efforts of no less than 200 volunteers.

Mayor Geert Vanden Broucke (CD&V) is also looking forward to the event: “We want Nieuwpoort to feel like a real home. Linking events like Long Course Weekend play an important role in this. This allows participants to get to know each other in different ways. The atmosphere that accompanies the event is also a real added value. Everyone sincerely sympathized with all the participants and cheered them on to the finish line. We hope we can count on a lot of viewers again this year.”