107th edition of Nijmegen Vierdaagse marches kick off with over 45,000 participants
The 170th edition of the Nijmegen Vierdaagse, known as the Nijmegen Four Days Marches, kicked off at 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday with over 45,000 participants from 82 nationalities. They will walk 30, 40, or 50 kilometers each day for four days.
The largest group of participants, almost a quarter, are in their sixties, NOS reported after crunching the numbers. People in their 20s are also well represented at 19.4 percent. The oldest participant is 94 this year, the youngest 11 - the age limit for entry.
This year, 210 people are walking the Vierdaagse for the 25th time. 34 are participating for the 40th time, and 62 for the 50th time. The record for completed Vierdaagse is held by Bert van der Lans, who died early this year. He completed the marches 71 times.
Willie Heij (82) is now the living person with the most completed Vierdaagse under his belt. He completed the Vierdaagse 64 times. “I was 15 years old when I first participated,” he told NOS. “I’ve participated every year since then. During the coronavirus pandemic, when the event was canceled, I even ran the alternative Vierdaagse. I’ve caught the Vierdaagse fever: the crowds, the people along the sidelines, the conviviality.”
Heij would like to break the record of 71 times. “I’d also like to run a Vierdaagse when I’m 100. That would be unique.”
This week, 363 Red Cross volunteers will be ready along the route to help participants with blisteres and other physical ailments. Due to expected rain, the Red Cross urged marchers to bring an extra pair of dry socks with them.
