Record 42,777 finish the four-day Nijmeegse Vierdaagse; 1.1 million celebrate

The 107th Nijmeegse Vierdaagse, a four-day international walking event through Nijmegen and nearby areas, concluded Friday with a record 42,777 finishers celebrating on the Wedren. Nearly 1.1 million visitors attended the simultaneous Vierdaagsefeesten festival, where organizers noted cleaner streets and a record 2.9 million plastic cups collected for recycling, NOS reported.

More than 45,000 walkers started Tuesday’s march, covering 30, 40, or 50 kilometers daily. Walkers came from 82 countries. Ronald van Dort, a wheelchair user, was the first to finish Friday morning, completing the route in five hours and ten minutes, according to Omroep Gelderland. Participants had until 6 p.m. to cross the finish line.

Over the week, 2,762 walkers dropped out, including 411 on the final day—a dropout rate 2.5 percent lower than last year. March director Henny Sackers told NOS, “This year’s low number of withdrawals is striking. Maybe people take the Vierdaagse more seriously, are better trained, and have better footwear.”

The Red Cross treated roughly 3,200 walkers for blisters, fewer than last year but often more severe due to heavy rain Wednesday. Volunteers worked until past midnight. Many taped their feet incorrectly, sometimes using duct tape. The Red Cross used 16 kilometers of tape, 33,050 gauze pads, and 16 liters of disinfectant. On Friday, with temperatures hitting 25 degrees, teams distributed 2,500 ice packs and treated dizziness and heat rash.

Three military participants, required to carry 10 kilograms of gear, were among those who dropped out.

Thursday’s march faced a brief delay after protesters from Extinction Rebellion Justice Now and Vredescomité Nijmegen climbed trees, hung banners, and dropped symbolic paper “bombs” opposing “militarization of society.” Nijmegen Mayor Hubert Bruls called the protest “silly,” adding it slowed walkers by a few kilometers, NOS reported. He greeted finishers Friday along the Via Gladiola, saying, “The atmosphere is excellent. All positive reactions, nice weather.” About 100,000 gladiolus flowers were handed out.

Vierdaagsefeesten organizers reported attendance matched previous years and praised new waste initiatives, including a ban on alcohol sales in city-center supermarkets and shops to reduce litter. The measure may have increased bar sales. The total number of returned cups, including Friday’s, will be finalized in the coming weeks. Festival director Joris Bouwmeister told NOS, “We hope to have recycled around 80 percent.”

Crowd control was managed from a centralized control room shared by multiple organizations and emergency services. Bouwmeister said no incidents or risks arose, and attendees were “nicely spread out.” Festival-goers rated the atmosphere “a solid 8.1.”

Police said nearly 30 drivers were caught driving under the influence Friday night, including a bus driver with more than two and a half times the legal alcohol limit. Over the week, more than 90 drivers were cited.