Vierdaagse hiking event kicks off in Nijmegen

Nijmegen's annual four day hiking event, the Vierdaagse, kicked off on Tuesday morning. The first hikers started their journey at 4:00 a.m. and by 6:30 a.m. over half of the 42,036 participants were on the way, the Volkskrant reports.

This is the 101st edition of the Nijmegen Vierdaagse, which ends in the Nijmegen city center on Friday. Hikers from no less than 67 countries are participating this year. The youngest participant is 11-year-old Maud Molemans from Nijmegen, the oldest is 94-year-old Herman Dubie from Amsterdam. This is the Amsterdam man's 20th Vierdaagse.

Participants can choose between distances of 30, 40 and 50 kilometers. Most of the participants, 49 percent, are walking 40 kilometers per stage. On the first day, also known as "Elst Day", participants take a route to Arnhem. Via Slijk-Ewijk, the hikers walk to Elst, and via Bemmel they return to Nijmegen.

Tuesday will be prime walking weather in Nijmegen and surrounds, according to Weeronline. Afternoon temperatures will reach around 26 degrees, with mostly clear skies expected. On Wednesday, hikers will face less favorable conditions, with the mercury rising to 33 degrees and a chance of thunderstorms.