English
The coronacrisis has completely disrupted the athletics competitions. In the past three months hardly any competition took place, several Diamond League meetings were cancelled. International travelling still suffers from severe restrictions. It forces the Memorial Van Damme to reinvent its concept and its program in a way that it still guarantees a spectacular and worthwile athletics experience.
Since June 2007 the One Hour World Record is held by Ethiopian track legend Haile Gebreselassie with 21,285km. Four times Olympic Champion Mo Farah and Bashir Abdi will try to break that mark. It is clear that the actual European Record (Jos Hermens 20,944km – 1976) and Belgian Record (Gaston Roelants 20,784km – 1972) are also under threat.
Mo Farah is already sharing some thoughts on this race : “Together with my training partner Bashir Abdi it is my target to attack the One Hour World Record at the Memorial Van Damme. This is a great challenge for me and I am really looking forward to it. Everything is possible ! The track in Brussels is fast, I have good memories of my previous races there.”
Before the Men’s race there will also be a Women’s One Hour Race in which the One Hour World Record will be attacked. Ethiopian Dire Tune set the World Record of 18,517km in 2008. During both One Hour events DJ’s will create a sensational athmosphere in order to support the ongoing pace. The Organisers and AG are sending out a “One Hour Challenge” to all of you : run as many kilometres as you can during one hour, in the weeks and months ahead of the Memorial! Free registrations will be opening soon.