Record 4,000 people pull out of Vierdaagse walking event

A record number of participants have withdrawn from the Nijmeegse Vierdaagse, with 3,915 registered walkers canceling their entry, the organization said on its website.

The cancellations were possible until Friday at 5 p.m., when participants could transfer their start ticket through the event’s online system to people on a waiting list. Despite that option, the number of withdrawals still reached an all-time high, surpassing previous years. In 2024, 2,355 start numbers were transferred, while in 2025 that figure rose to 3,384.

The event, scheduled to take place from July 21 to July 24 in Nijmegen, consistently draws more interest than available starting places. According to the organization, more than 11,000 people were on the waiting list this year but were unable to secure a start number.

Marsleider Henny Sackers of the organization acknowledged both the event’s popularity and its consequences.

“This means we cannot place everyone. We understand that this is a disappointment for people on the waiting list,” Sackers said.

Finishers of the four-day walking event receive a commemorative cross, known as a “Vierdaagsekruisje.” The organization notes this award is a long-standing tradition for those who complete the march.