Today (28th of October, 2026) I ran the FKT Graaf van Hornepad. Really beautiful route! Like the previous record owner Sam Jeffs, I started at train station Weert, to have the basically only water tap at IJzeren Man at 62 km. You can park all day for 6.60 euros in the Station Parking garage. I took 3 L of water, backpack was 4.5 kg incl gels and electrolytes and mobile phone. I had more than enough, refilled 1 L at IJzeren man. By the way, the gpx on this site takes now and then another route than the indicated OLAT route. I followed the gpx. Just at 31 km there was really no path next to the water, so I took a detour.
It was a beautiful sunny day. I left at 7h15 when it became light, saw the sun coming up in a misty countryside. The route had some mud due to the rain of last week, but I think at the time Sam ran, it was much wetter. We had quite a dry summer. In general the track was in good condition. So I could take a bit difficult but beautiful route after 41 km following the Belgian border and then stream De Raam. A lot of reed and high grass, fallen trees, but beautiful! The 5 following km were also difficult, basically grass, but devastated by wild pigs! This cost me quite some energy, so my pace reduced a bit after 48 km.
The last part of the route, after 61 km (where the gpx officially starts) was a bit easier, a bit more asphalt and good forest tracks. I got some shoulder and neck pain, so I was happy to finish at the train station. The people there had no clue that I just run over 8 hours, nobody cheering, but I was happy!