The event, which is bigger this year after being cancelled last year due to storm Benjamin, is a concept developed by the sports students of Thomas More Campus Turnhout. They set the course themselves, guided by lecturers and experts. "Our students organize an event for thousands of young people, from the course to the stage. You can't learn that in any textbook," says Inge Lauwers, Head of the Sports Education Department at Thomas More.
This year, a school for special needs education participated again, after missing out last year. Runner's High has further expanded inclusion: the course is open to young people with physical, auditory, or visual impairments, and the 5-kilometer route is wheelchair accessible. "Sport connects, we've believed that for 5 years. On this course, it doesn't matter how fast you run or how you cross the finish line. Everyone belongs. And you can feel that," emphasizes Lauwers.
For the anniversary edition, Runner's High collaborated with Stressfactor. Run influencer Stien Edlund, founder of the Sunday Runday Club, warmed up the runners together with Physical Education and Movement Recreation students, and then participated herself. Royalistiq provided the atmosphere before the start at the Kasteelplein, and Turnhout's own DINO will close the event with the afterparty.
Students from the third grade of secondary education completed a 5 or 10-kilometer run, or walked 3 kilometers. A chip in the bib recorded the times, providing teachers with objective results for their physical education classes.
