Brussels community members shake shins during Shamrock Shuffle

Runners take off during the Shamrock Shuffle at Park van Tervuren, Belgium March 19. The event was sponsored by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

Brussels community members shake shins during Shamrock Shuffle

Story and photos by Claire Cuccio, Brussels Fitness, USAG Benelux DFMWR

ZAVENTEM, Belgium -- The Brussels Fitness Center sponsored a Shamrock Shuffle five-kilometer run/walk in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day March 19, 2022 at Park van Tervuren. 

The skies were sunny and clear on the last day of winter, and 40 people from the Brussels community and surrounding areas came to enhance their fitness. 

The participants included many Families with a wide range of ages, active-duty service members, civilians and retirees. 

“I was so happy to be able to participate in this event,” said Liz Schuster, Department of Defense Education Activity school nurse at SHAPE, Belgium. “When I saw the information about this event, I was excited to attend. The staff at Brussels Fitness Center are friendly and amazing, and I loved the T-shirt design.”
 
Park van Tervuren, also called Warande, is one of the entrance gates to the Sonian Forest. The route skirts several ponds in a single loop where runners can see a ducks, geese and cormorants in their natural habitat. The park is quite popular with the locals and provides a healthy, safe place to walk or ride bikes away from hustle and bustle and traffic of the city. 

“I had never been to Tervuren Park before and it was an absolutely beautiful place for a run,” said Schuster. “I will look out for events from the Brussels Fitness Center and will attend them in the future.”

Whether walking or running, events like the Shamrock Shuffle motivate the Brussels community to embrace fitness and the outdoor green belt (groene gordel) surrounding Brussels. 

To learn more about fitness programs and facilities at USAG Benelux – Brussels, visit https://brussels.armymwr.com/programs/fitness.

Runners pose for a group photo during the Shamrock Shuffle five-kilometer run event March 19 at Park van Tervuren, Belgium.