Belgium · Flanders (Antwerp Province)
Distance
160 km
Date
Entry fee
€130
€ / km
€0.81
Ultra Trail Kempen 160km: Belgium's Flat Ultra That Sells Out Every Year
Ultra Trail Kempen (UTK) 160 km is a trail race held on October 31 – November 1, 2026, starting from Sporthal Mintjens in Malle, Antwerp Province, Belgium. The race begins on Halloween evening and runs through the night across the flat heathlands and pine forests of the Kempen region.
The Ultra Trail Kempen (UTK) course covers 160 km with 357 m of total elevation gain — 2.2 m/km — making it one of the flattest 160 km ultras in Europe: for context, even the Autumn 100 (itself among the flattest 100-milers in the DTR database) accumulates 9.3 m/km. There is no meaningful climbing on this course; the challenge is pacing, sleep management, and sustained forward movement across 35–45+ hours. Entry costs €0.81/km (€130). The race sold out for 2026 and operates a waiting list.
Organised by Trail Buddies Kempen, the event offers a run or walk variant. Entry requires at least one completed 50 km trail race. Two drop-bag locations and aid stations approximately every 15–20 km (some with hot meals) support the field. Antwerp Airport (ANR) is 36 minutes away by road. It suits experienced endurance runners or hikers comfortable with long flat efforts, night sections, and late-autumn Belgian conditions — cold, wet, and potentially foggy.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
357m
D+/KM
2.2m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
How Flat Is the UTK 160km? (Elevation Data and What It Means for Pacing)
How flat is the Ultra Trail Kempen 160km?
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Extremely flat. The course covers 160km with approximately 357m of total elevation gain — 2.23 m per kilometre. There is no meaningful climbing; any elevation change comes from bridge crossings or minor embankments. For comparison, the Autumn 100 (one of the flattest 100-mile races in the DTR database) accumulates more than four times as much gain per kilometre. The challenge on the UTK 160km is not gradient — it is pacing, time-on-feet, sleep management, and late-autumn conditions.
Sold Out Every Year - The Ultra Trail Kempen 160km
Is the Ultra Trail Kempen 160km sold out?
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Yes — the 2026 edition sold out and operates a waiting list as of May 2026. The race fills quickly; check ultra-trail-kempen.be early for future edition registration windows. No mandatory processing fee is added on top of the €130 entry fee.
Sold-Out at Exceptional Value: The Ultra Trail Kempen 160km Entry Fee
How much does the Ultra Trail Kempen 160km cost?
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€130 entry — €0.81 per kilometre. For a 160km race that consistently sells out, this is exceptional value. No mandatory processing fees on top of the registration fee (though bank/payment method fees may apply).
Halloween Start, Late-Autumn Darkness: The Ultra Trail Kempen 160km Race Date
When does the Ultra Trail Kempen 160km take place?
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October 31 – November 1, 2026 — the race starts on Halloween evening from Sporthal Mintjens in Malle, Antwerp Province, Belgium. Runners face significant darkness throughout the course in late-autumn Belgian conditions.
Antwerp, Brussels, or Eindhoven: Getting to the Ultra Trail Kempen 160km
How do I get to the Ultra Trail Kempen start in Malle?
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Antwerp Airport (ANR) is approximately 36 minutes from Malle by road — the closest option. Brussels Airport (BRU) and Eindhoven Airport (EIN) are both approximately 1–1.5 hours by road. Public transport from Antwerp city centre takes approximately 70–80 minutes by bus. Accommodation is easiest to find in Antwerp city; options in the small Kempen towns around Malle are limited.
Getting to Ultra Trail Kempen – 160 km
Nearest airport
Antwerp (ANR) / Brussels (BRU) / Eindhoven (EIN)
Notes
Start: ~25 min (ANR) or ~1–1.5 hrs (BRU/EIN) to Malle (Sporthal Mintjens) / Public transport: good from Antwerp (bus ~70–80 min) / Accommodation: easy base in Antwerp; limited in small Kempen towns
