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Karel Sabbe sets world record on the Hexatrek of 3,000 km

Karel Sabbe from Waregem has set a new world record on the Hexatrek, with a time of 33 days, 13 hours, and 48 minutes.

22 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Karel Sabbe sets world record on the Hexatrek of 3,000 km — Archive photoPhoto: Xander Cottens · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Karel Sabbe has broken the world record on the Hexatrek, a challenging journey of over 3,000 km through the mountain ranges of the Jura, Alps, and Pyrenees. This achievement encompasses approximately 140,000 meters of elevation gain and demonstrates significant endurance and determination.

According to reports from VRT NWS, Sabbe completed the Hexatrek in a time of 33 days, 13 hours, and 48 minutes. This marks a remarkable improvement over previous records for this route.

The Hexatrek is known for its tough conditions and requires not only physical strength but also mental resilience. Sabbe's performance does justice to the challenge, given the long distances and elevation changes involved.

Earlier reports from Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Nieuwsblad also confirm his record time, although they mention a slightly different time of 33 days and 14 hours. This may indicate some confusion in recording the exact finish time.

Congratulations for Sabbe are coming from various quarters, both within the ultrarunning community and among sports enthusiasts, who view his achievement as a significant milestone.

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