107th Vierdaagse - Four Days Marches Nijmegen: For Fun and Glory
Vierdaagse (also called the 4Daagse) is a massive 4-day walking event that happens every July. It isn't just a walk in the park. Each day the route covers 25-30 miles! As the world's largest walking event, it draws around 47,000 participants from all around the globe. With parties running all night long, the entire affair attracts over 1.5 million people. The whole city just buzzes.
One of the event contributors captures it well: "The 4Daagse embodies everything that makes a sports event beautiful: endurance, joy, participants pushing themselves to the limit, the atmosphere, and celebrations along the route. The immense sense of accomplishment upon reaching the finish line."
The idea for us to participate was only hatched about a year ago, just after Greg discovered the event. (When Greg mentions a travel idea, I run with it!) We thought it'd be fun to include our venturesome brother/sister-in-law Scott and Jeannette, who were in from the get-go. "You only live once," was Scott's reasoning.
One of the event contributors captures it well: "The 4Daagse embodies everything that makes a sports event beautiful: endurance, joy, participants pushing themselves to the limit, the atmosphere, and celebrations along the route. The immense sense of accomplishment upon reaching the finish line."
The idea for us to participate was only hatched about a year ago, just after Greg discovered the event. (When Greg mentions a travel idea, I run with it!) We thought it'd be fun to include our venturesome brother/sister-in-law Scott and Jeannette, who were in from the get-go. "You only live once," was Scott's reasoning.
However, desire alone doesn't always make the cut when it comes to the Vierdaagse. Our biggest obstacle was to get a coveted entry ticket <which obviously we did>. Especially for newbies, called "debutants", it can be nearly impossible to get in. (More on this later.)
You hear 4-day walk and are probably thinking … walking, how hard can it be? But there's more to it. Not having done the Vierdaagse, it is difficult to understand the magnitude of the challenge. Here's what the day-to-day is actually like: first-off, the starts are REAL early at 4:00am (for the 50km) – before sunrise! That means you are waking up by 2:30am. Then there is a hard cut-off to finish each day: everyone, no matter their distance, has to be back by 5:00pm. And if you don't make it, that's it. You're out. You can't walk the next day. There's definitely pressure there!
But the registration number isn't enough. It is really hard to get in, especially for first-time walkers. Registration this year was record-breaking. On the morning of the 2nd wave of registration (for debutants), 53,000 devices were in the waiting queue vying for one of the 4410 available tickets.
If you are not one of the lucky 47,000 people to get a spot during the initial registration, don't lose all hope yet! When a registrant wants to give up their highly sought-after spot, the website handles all ticket transfers. In fact, last year, 2,300 people managed to get a ticket this way. This year the organizers discovered that "bots" were quickly claiming these spots, so they declared the rule: any ticket that has changed hands via intermediaries will be invalidated. Traveler vloggers Kara and Nate, who I'm assuming got in through the transfer process, said it took them four years to get in – which are actually very good odds. Watch their excellent
(albiet long) vlog on 4Daagse here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cb8qGDb7UM
Determined to find an existing group, I stumbled across the British Dutch Walking Fellowship (BDWF). Formed in 2004, the incredibly welcoming group's sole reason for existence is to help people complete the event. They aren't even looking to make a profit! They take all the guesswork out of the event by handling everything: the logistics of registering, food, shelter, transportation, rest stops along the route, and foot care. It is an ideal set-up especially for someone new coming from abroad!
Another way in: For a select-few 2,000 debutants (newbies) – before official registration kicks off – you can try to get a spot on wandl.nl via-vierdaagse for a €70 premium. We chose the guaranteed spots through team BDWF rather than getting up in the middle of the night (CA time) to try to grab the 4 spots we needed. I also heard that those spots are only for Dutch citizens, but I don't know if that is accurate information. Or you can join the military.
We didn't do a whole heck of a lot today. We walked through Nijmegen to the Wedren (start/finish area) to pick up tshirts we had pre-ordered and shop for other mementos.
We checked out of the hotel and took the bus to DeDennen Sports Hall, our home for the next four nights. BDWF rents out the gym for its members to sleep, and sets up a tent for catered meals.
You hear 4-day walk and are probably thinking … walking, how hard can it be? But there's more to it. Not having done the Vierdaagse, it is difficult to understand the magnitude of the challenge. Here's what the day-to-day is actually like: first-off, the starts are REAL early at 4:00am (for the 50km) – before sunrise! That means you are waking up by 2:30am. Then there is a hard cut-off to finish each day: everyone, no matter their distance, has to be back by 5:00pm. And if you don't make it, that's it. You're out. You can't walk the next day. There's definitely pressure there!
Choosing the Distance 30/40/50km (19/25/31 miles)
There's actually a matrix designating which distance you can walk based on your age and gender. Women 16 years and older can choose either 40 or 50km. It is tougher for men 18-49 years old – they have to walk the full 50km – unless they join the military category, who qualify for the shorter 40km if they dress in uniform and carry a 22 lb pack.How to Sign Up for the Vierdaagse?
Undeterred by the sore feet and early mornings, by now I bet you are thinking how amazing this sounds and want to know what do you need to do to sign up? The next one, 108th, is set for Tuesday July 21 to 24, 2026. Registration kicks off around mid-February. Make sure you get a registration number before you try to apply. Official website: https://www.4daagse.nl/enBut the registration number isn't enough. It is really hard to get in, especially for first-time walkers. Registration this year was record-breaking. On the morning of the 2nd wave of registration (for debutants), 53,000 devices were in the waiting queue vying for one of the 4410 available tickets.
If you are not one of the lucky 47,000 people to get a spot during the initial registration, don't lose all hope yet! When a registrant wants to give up their highly sought-after spot, the website handles all ticket transfers. In fact, last year, 2,300 people managed to get a ticket this way. This year the organizers discovered that "bots" were quickly claiming these spots, so they declared the rule: any ticket that has changed hands via intermediaries will be invalidated. Traveler vloggers Kara and Nate, who I'm assuming got in through the transfer process, said it took them four years to get in – which are actually very good odds. Watch their excellent
(albiet long) vlog on 4Daagse here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cb8qGDb7UM
What is the secret? How did we get in?
Despite the odds against us, I found a way in – a loophole – without having to try unsuccessfully year after year… signing up with a group! Joining a group is how the majority of debutants break the odds. To fall into this category, you get to sign up during the first round of registration – even debutants – as long as you have at least 11 participants (and a max of 41) walking the entire event together at all times and in matching outfits.Determined to find an existing group, I stumbled across the British Dutch Walking Fellowship (BDWF). Formed in 2004, the incredibly welcoming group's sole reason for existence is to help people complete the event. They aren't even looking to make a profit! They take all the guesswork out of the event by handling everything: the logistics of registering, food, shelter, transportation, rest stops along the route, and foot care. It is an ideal set-up especially for someone new coming from abroad!
Another way in: For a select-few 2,000 debutants (newbies) – before official registration kicks off – you can try to get a spot on wandl.nl via-vierdaagse for a €70 premium. We chose the guaranteed spots through team BDWF rather than getting up in the middle of the night (CA time) to try to grab the 4 spots we needed. I also heard that those spots are only for Dutch citizens, but I don't know if that is accurate information. Or you can join the military.
We didn't do a whole heck of a lot today. We walked through Nijmegen to the Wedren (start/finish area) to pick up tshirts we had pre-ordered and shop for other mementos.
Wedren, the location where the Nijmegen starts and finishes
We were told to not miss out on these sandwiches. Delicious!
We checked out of the hotel and took the bus to DeDennen Sports Hall, our home for the next four nights. BDWF rents out the gym for its members to sleep, and sets up a tent for catered meals.
The gym is divided by gender
BDWF provides a cot and fitted sheet. (It was nice of them to assign Greg and Scott on the opposite side of the tarp as us.)
Showers. Hmmm.
DeDennen also runs a campground for 4Daagse
Meeting our team. I'm so glad we chose to participate with a team and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better!
Catered dinner had lots of options for all tastes
After an early dinner, we had our feet taped. While finishers get a super cool military medal, besides achieving this immense personal challenge, our true goal is to cross the finish line without getting the ultimate foot blister or other disastrous injury!
8:30pm is lights out. Any lights and noises, except for snoring and other body sounds, are forbidden. I'm a light sleeper so this should make for an interesting night!
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