HAC triumphs in thrilling women’s 4x100m relay at the 2026 Belgian Relays Championships

The track and field season reached one of its most exciting domestic crescendos on September 20, 2026, as the Belgian Relays Championships descended upon the provincial sports center in Kessel-Lo. Among the heavily anticipated events on the schedule, the women’s 4x100m relay stood out as a premier showcase of speed, precision, and club pride. When the dust settled on the track, it was the formidable quartet from HAC (Houtland Atletiekclub) that captured the gold medal, delivering a masterful display of sprinting and baton exchanges to distance themselves from a highly competitive field.

From the sounding of the starter’s pistol, the energy in Kessel-Lo was electric. The 4x100m relay is a discipline where raw speed must perfectly align with flawless chemistry, and the HAC athletes proved they possessed both in abundance. The victorious team, composed of Charlotte Tahon, Libelia Vincke, Elena Walraet, and Maité Beernaert, executed a tactical masterclass. Tahon provided a explosive start out of the blocks, establishing an immediate presence on the opening bend. The momentum was seamlessly maintained through the backstretch and the final turn by Vincke and Walraet, setting up Beernaert for a blistering anchor leg.

As Beernaert crossed the finish line, the clock stopped at an impressive 47.06 seconds. The victory underscored HAC’s exceptional depth and rigorous preparation, earning them a well-deserved title as national relay champions and setting a high benchmark for domestic club competition.

While HAC celebrated an undisputed victory, the battle for the remaining podium steps provided intense drama for the spectators in attendance. Daring Club Leuven Atletiek (DCLA) enjoyed strong support from the local crowd, competing just a stone’s throw from their traditional home base. The DCLA lineup, featuring Chloe Porton, Yasmine Van Hooghten, Renée Van Laethem, and Emma Pil, fought valiantly to keep pace with the leaders. Relying on sharp handovers and determined running, they secured the silver medal with a commendable time of 47.61 seconds. Their performance was a testament to their consistency and resilience in front of a passionate home-province audience.

Not far behind the silver medalists, the athletes from ABES mounted a fierce campaign of their own to claim a spot on the podium. The team of Faith Wiwa, Helena Winters, Liv Engels, and Zoë Willemyns demonstrated exceptional teamwork, particularly during the critical second and third exchanges where many relay races are won or lost. Clinging to the heels of DCLA, the ABES quartet crossed the line in 47.91 seconds to secure the bronze medal. The sub-48 second performance highlighted the rising standard of women’s sprinting across Belgian clubs.

The depth of the competition was further illustrated by the performances of the teams finishing just outside the medal positions. Looise AC narrowly missed out on a podium finish, putting forth a highly competitive effort. The team, consisting of Rana Yilmaz, Tess Claes, Fenne Hoobergs, and Hélène Deckers, stopped the clock at 48.12 seconds to settle for a respectable fourth place. Despite missing out on a medal by just over two-tenths of a second, their time reflected a performance that would have easily challenged for a podium spot in previous editions of the championships.

Rounding out the top five was Lebbeekse AC, another club known for its strong athletic tradition. The squad of Lisa De Troyer, Luca Heyvaert, Nona Heyvaert, and Nore Verleyen fought hard against the elite field, crossing the finish line in 48.42 seconds. Though they had to settle for fifth, their spirit and technical execution throughout the four legs demonstrated that they remain a force to be reckoned with on the national stage.

The 2026 Belgian Relays Championships in Kessel-Lo once again proved why the relay formats remain a favorite among fans and athletes alike. The women’s 4x100m final epitomized the spirit of club athletics, combining individual excellence with collective strategy. For HAC, the gold medal represents a crowning achievement for their sprint program. For the chasing clubs, the narrow margins of defeat will undoubtedly serve as motivation for the training cycles ahead. As the athletes departed Kessel-Lo, the exceptional times recorded across the board left no doubt that the future of Belgian women’s sprinting is incredibly bright.