On Sunday 3 November at 10:30 the starting signal sounded from the athletics track at the Nilantspad for the 14.5 km walking trail. At 12:30 the runners for the long trail (27 km) started. And an hour later it was the turn of the runners of the short trail (14.5 km). There was also the option of a 10 km drop off. For this drop off trail the runners were taken to the Bardel monastery by covered wagons from where they walked back to the finish.

The organisation was very pleased with the large number of registrations. With almost 900 participants it was a very successful edition. The runners and walkers were also very enthusiastic about the beautiful course. Many estate owners had opened their estates especially for this trail. In this way the participants walked over unique parts of the route where you are otherwise not allowed to go. This partly ensures that the Twentse Smokkel Trail can be called a unique event. Smuggling a pack of butter was quite a challenge for many. At the border crossing, you were checked by customs officers. The musicians who musically encouraged the walkers and runners along the route also received a lot of appreciation. After the event, all participants received a nice souvenir in the form of a wooden medal. In order to be able to use the smuggled pack of butter, they also received a pack of currant bread.

Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers, sponsors, musicians and all participants, it was a very successful event. The organizing committee of Iphitos would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success. The Twentse Smokkel Trail has become an indispensable part of the running calendar. Participants from all parts of the country are increasingly finding their way to this pleasant trail. The organization was also able to welcome a number of runners from Germany.

Next year, another Twentse Smokkel Trail will be organized on Sunday, November 2.

Results Twentse Smokkel Trail 2024

This year we were able to outsource the making of the medals 

Thanks to the people of the ‘ Baalderborg group’'t Alteveer. An institution for people with mental disabilities, children with developmental problems and elderly people with intensive support needs .

All our 700 to 1,000 medals are hand-finished, branded and a hole drilled. After that, each medal is given a string and are already ready for 3 November 2024.

Thank you for your cooperation in 2024!

October 2024,

In preparing for this year's trail, we have included some exciting new sections in the route. This makes the route even more beautiful than in previous years. Particularly on the 27 km, and thus also on the 10 km course, we will be exploring a (for us ) new forest. Preceded by a new path along the ‘ Fürstliche Tannen’. 

In the previous edition we went through this forest, but unfortunately the beautiful path has been replaced by a straight rubble road. Since we are forest lovers and path crazy, this is something super nice. We will now go around some beautiful natural ponds in a beautiful pristine forest, along beautiful ditches across a farmyard with a surprise!

So sign up while you still can and come and enjoy this beautiful revamped course.

Registration Twentse Smokkeltrail starts on 1 July 2024

After the wonderful sixth edition, our Losser athletics club Iphitos is organising a Twentse Smokkel Trail again and on Sunday 2 November 2024. 

Being in autumn gives us many advantages:reduction of the disturbance of nature, the cattle no longer outside and the crops harvested. Sometimes it can be a disadvantage as in the last edition : we had to deal with high water from the dinkel and had to adjust the first 3 km of our course.This was a learning moment and we have an alternative behind us because of this.

Trail course lengths have again been set at 27 and 14.5 km. Participation is limited to a total of 800 participants on these two trail distances combined. Register early because full = full. Hikers can walk the 14.5 km  trail route as a walking tour again. Like last year, there is a 10 km drop-off trail run, where you will be taken by covered wagon to a drop-off spot on the route. Only 120 places are available for this. If you are looking for a fun but challenging event, combining (running) in nature with local smuggling culture and a personal sporting achievement, then the Twentse Smokkel Trail is for you!

Register now

On Sunday, November 5 at 10.45 am, the starting signal sounded from the athletics track on the Nilantspad for the 14.5 km walking trail.  The runners for the long trail (27 km) started at 12.30 pm. And another hour later it was the turn of the runners of the short trail (14.5 km). They could also opt for a drop off of 10 km. At this drop off trail, the runners were taken in covered wagons to Bardel Monastery from where they walked back to the finish. Because certain parts of the route were impassable due to the high water level, the organization had to adjust the route shortly in advance.

All participants were very enthusiastic about the beautiful course. Many estate owners had opened their estates especially for this trail. For example, the participants walked through unique parts of the route that you would otherwise not be allowed to visit. This partly ensures that the Twentse Smokkeltrail can be called a unique event. Smuggling a pack of butter was quite a challenge for many. At the border crossing people were checked by commissioners. The musicians who provided musical encouragement to walkers and runners along the route were also greatly appreciated. Afterwards, all participants received a nice souvenir in the form of a wooden medal. In order to use the smuggled pack of butter, they also received a pack of raisin bread. Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers, sponsors, musicians and all participants, it was a very successful event.

The Iphitos organizing committee would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success. The Twentse Smokkeltrail has become an indispensable part of the running calendar. Participants from all parts of the country are increasingly finding their way to this pleasant trail. The organization was also able to welcome a number of runners from Germany.

Next year, a Twente Smokkeltrail will be organized again on Sunday, November 3.

A nice article in TC Tubantia after the first Smuggling Trail of Twente in 2017.

The first Smuggle Trail through the beautiful nature reserve. © Robin Hilberink

The fifth edition of the Twente Smuggling Trail was a great success. rtv oost was also present and made a nice atmospheric impression of our event.video twentse smokkeltrail rtv oost