Geert van Nispen defies time on the Camino del Norte: 844 km against the clock
It's Wednesday and Geert van Nispen is running. It's not just any race: 844 kilometres, from Irún to Santiago de Compostela, with the Atlantic Ocean as his companion and a clock that gives no respite. His goal: to beat the Fastest Known Time (FKT) record of the Camino del Norte in style. self-supported. The current record to beat is 15 days, 3 hours and 32 minutes, set by Patrick Scheel in August 2023. Geert aims to enter Santiago tomorrow, Thursday, setting a new best known time.
Van Nispen is no stranger to such challenges. He has already achieved records in Luxembourg and on the demanding GR703 route in France. But he also knows the bitter taste of defeat, when in the Pyrenees the toughness of the GR11 forced him to abandon (we followed that attempt closely). However, far from discouraging him, that setback only increased his determination to achieve more FKTs (best known times).
The Camino del Norte is notorious for its difficulty: 19,000 metres of accumulated ascent, unpredictable weather and solitude as a constant companion. There are no long stops or moments for a quiet chat in a café; every minute counts. Geert is doing the route in self-supportedwhich means that he carries everything he needs to survive and move forward, without organised external assistance. A continuous struggle to balance weight, comfort and endurance.
But this race is more than just a personal record. Geert is running to raise awareness and support for those fighting Parkinson's, a disease that limits the ability to move. Every pain, every kilometre in solitude in the rain or cold, has a special meaning: to give voice and hope to those who can no longer take these steps.
Geert is moving unstoppably towards his goal. Less than 230 kilometres from Santiago, the pressure is mounting, but so is his determination. This Thursday could be historic.
"I'm here to tell a story," says Geert, and his story is clear: perseverance, solidarity and an epic challenge against the clock.
Tomorrow we will know if the Camino del Norte has a new champion. In the meantime, Geert is still running. Every minute counts.
Don't miss any adventure in the Pyrenees!
