For the 366th day in succession marathon runner Hilde Dosogne completed a marathon on Tuesday. She started her series of marathon runs on 1 January and as 2024 is a leap year, Tuesday’s run was her 366th in 2024. No other athlete, male or female has ever run more marathons in the space of one year. During what for the time being at least was her last marathon, Hilde Dosogne had around 700 supporters run with her as she completed laps at Ghent’s Watersportbaan Sport and Recreation Complex.
Hilde Dosogne ran 366 marathons this year, grabbing world record: “My advice to anyone considering it? Don't do it!”
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She completed her final marathon in 4 hours 17 minutes and 40 seconds. During the past year Hilde Dosogne has got through no fewer than 24 pairs of running shoes.
She told VRT News that "I am a little bit tired, but also satisfied. Above all I am happy that I’ve done it and that from tomorrow I can have time for my family and my children again”.
No other man or woman has ever run 366 marathons in one calendar year before, making Hilde Dosogne a record breaker.
“My advice to people who also want to try it? don't do it!’ I underestimated beforehand how tough it was going to be, both physically and mentally. I had to run when I was sick and injured. I even ran 70 kilometres one day because I fell on my finger after 27 kilometres and had to go to hospital. So, when I came home, I started again from scratch”, Hilde Dosogne told VRT News.
700 run with her around the Watersportbaan
Around 700 supporters ran with Hilde Dosogne as she completed her last marathon of the year. Her daughter was also present as she crossed the finishing line.
The series of 366 marathon has been a fundraiser for the charity Big Against Breastcancer. Hilde Dosogne has raised more than 60,000 euro for them.
While she was running a marathon a day Hilde carried on working “Only party-time. I was lucky that my colleagues took on some of my work”.