What does it take to run a relay along the entire European coast?

3.5 years ago, it started out as an idea to run non-stop, but logistics and finances required a different approach.

Now, each year, runners are covering 20 stages of 100km to continue to chunk at the 100 000km of European coast.

Each runner has to be able to finish a 100km stage before handing over the figurative torch to the next one. Making this not only a huge macro challenge (to finish the 100 000km) but a micro challenge for each runner as well.

But this is so much more than a physical challenge.

That's why I wanted to get together with Charles Van Haverbeke (co-founder of the project) to get a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes of Follow the coast (what started out as Run the mare nostrum) and where the idea even came from.

We talked about where the journey is at, the bond it creates between the runners, how the seed for the project was planted at the marathon des sables, his love for running, what it takes to publish a book… But also about his partner in crime Max Monteyne and how they navigate the logistical and financial challenges of the project together.

The journey's continuing this year from Punta Torrella (close to Santiago de Compostela) and takes another break in Aldea Noa (just south of Lisbon). They're still looking for runners to run some stages, so if you get excited after listening to our conversation, don't hesitate to sign-up! It's going to be beautiful.

You can sign-up for one of the stages on their website or reach out to them on Instagram.

You can find the links here