Draw by lot
When will a draw take place?
When the registration limit of 46,000 registrations will be exceeded in the second registration period, the available starting permits will be allocated by means of drawing lots.
Why the draw and not 'first come, first served'?
There has been one year in which registration was executed according to the principle 'first come, first served'. Afterwards, however, survey showed that this method was neither helpful nor useful to walkers and to the organisation. Therefore, it had been decided – for several reasons – to choose the present registration procedure. In this manner loyal walkers will be protected against a draw, and there are sufficient starting permits to be allocated to debutants. There are about 30 % first time walkers per year.
The current system also allows everyone to register with an equal chance. Think of foreign participants or participants that do not have access to the Internet. Furthermore, everyone is now able to request information prior to registration ensuring that all received registrations are also correct registrations. If one would register using a system that emphasised the order in which participants register, the pressure to register as quickly as possible would be enormous, without people even knowing for certain if they really want to register. The number of people that would change their mind after their hurried registration, and would consequently not start, would be much bigger.
Why 46,000 registrations and only 42,000 participants?
To ensure walking pleasure and the safety of our participants, yet at the same time allow as many people as possible to participate, it was decided to set the number of participants to about 42,000. To approach this number as accurately as possible, 46,000 people can register. We have learned from experience that about 4,000 participants (have to) decide not to actually start in the Marches on the Tuesday for personal reasons.
Who shall enter the draw?
All individual (civilian) participants that have registered in the second registration period and that have never successfully completed the Four Days Marches according to the rules and regulations on the regulation distance applicable to them and that are now registered for reward 1 will enter the draw. Exceptions to the rule are:
1. Children born in the year 2001
2. Participants who failed to obtain a starting permit (due to the draw) for the 95th as well as for the 96th Four Days Marches and didn't accept a place made available through cancellation.
The Restriction Protocol – and therefore the draw – does not apply to group participants, military participants, companions and participants in the Via Vierdaagse training programme.
Drawing lots
If a draw is needed it will take place on Friday 12 April and will be executed under the supervision of a civil law notary. If you draw a place you may participate in the Four Days Marches, and when no starting permit is allocated to you, you may not.
The result of the draw will be posted on My Four Days Marches. Furthermore, all participants will receive notice via e-mail (when your e-mail address is known to us) or via a letter sent by post.
How can I see at My Four Days Marches whether or not I have drawn a place?
After logging on with your registration number and date of birth or password, a screen with your personal details will appear. After the draw took place - on 12 April - the result will be published on My Four Days ("Unfortunately you did not draw a place and therefore cannot participate in the Four Days Marches this year" or "Congratulations, you have drawn a place and can participate in the Four Days Marches this year").
Can I draw together with my friend?
No, the draw is individual. It is not possible to enter the draw with one or several other participants.
Can I cancel my registration after the draw?
When you have drawn a place (and therefore may participate) you will have the opportunity to cancel your registration in writing until 1 May. You will not have to pay any registration fees.
After the draw, will there be a waiting list?
No, there will not be a waiting list this year. If you did not draw a place, you can't participate in this years event. The results of the draw is final. If you want to participate in the Four Days Marches, you'll have to wait until next year. Persons who failed to obtain a starting permit (due to the draw) for two consecutive years and sign in the next year, do not have to draw a place and get a starting permit. The draw will be executed under the supervision of a civil law notary. Exceptions to the results of the draw are therefore not possible.
Actual Number of Registrations
Once the registration closes, our data will be submitted to a check that reveals double registrations and other inconsistencies, as in previous years. This implies that the factual number of registrations deviates from the number published on our website. The number that will be presented to the notary previous to the draw will be the definitive number of registrations and will be published afterwards.
The registration for the 97th Four Days Marches will be done according to the Restriction Protocol.
