Walkers set off on last day of Vierdaagse; 42,450 people finished hardest 3rd day

The final day of the Nijmegen Vierdaagse takes the walkers to Cuijk, across a pontoon bridge constructed by the Ministry of Defense in the Maas River, to finally begin the kilometers-long entry parade on the Via Gladiola. On the third day, known as the hardest day of the four-day marches, 42,450 people reached the finish line.

The final day of the Vierdaagse will likely also be the hottest, with temperatures reaching 26 degrees in the afternoon. After crossing the finish line at the Werden, participants will receive the Vierdaagse Cross and the final festivities begin.

1,257 people did not start or dropped out on day three. At 2.7 percent, the dropout rate is slightly higher than in 2025 and slightly lower than in 2024. The third day is considered the toughest day due to the many elevation changes.

Three people were disqualified on Thursday: two soldiers and one civilian, the organization announced. The military personnel were disqualified for carrying less weight than the mandatory 10 kilograms. The civilian was walking with the wrong wristband, but refused to turn back. Of the walkers disqualified on Wednesday, two appealed in vain.

The Red Cross is working long hours to puncture blisters. On Wednesday evening, aid workers treated people for their blisters until 11:15 p.m. On Thursday at around 4:00 p.m., the central medical post was full of waiting people. By then, the medical staff had already completed over 400 blister treatments. On Wednesday, the total was 1,031.

According to a spokesperson, Wednesday’s number was very average. The fact that it was still so busy so late on Wednesday was due to many people arriving at the medical post late, the spokesperson said. On the first day of the Vierdaagse, there were 851 blister treatments.