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Friday, 27 January 2012

Not long to go now until Monday 6 February, the day when registration will open at 0.00 hrs for the 96th International Four Days Marches Nijmegen. Numerous walkers will again be sitting at their computers with baited breath, waiting to be one of the first to register. Not that being up in the middle of the night is in any way necessary, seeing as this does not bring any advantages whatsoever. In actual fact, a rush to register in the small hours will only overload the system, if anything, thus increasing the chance of annoying system faults. So please don't rush. Please also note that those who successfully completed the 95th Four Days Marches, those born in the year 2000 and first-timers taking part in the Via Vierdaagse 2012 project are the only people allowed to register during the first month. Everyone else can register during the second month. If demand exceeds the number of starting tickets available, we will draw lots amongst individual participants going for reward 1, just like in previous years. Via Vierdaagse participants, walkers who turn 12 in 2012 and those excluded by the draw from taking part in both the 94th and 95th Four Days Marches will be excluded from such a draw.

As of 6 February, walkers will also be able to support one or more charities by actively recruiting sponsors through the site www.devierdaagsesponsorloop.nl. After a late start on 1 June last year, 258 walkers raised a grand total of € 190,000 for charities of their choice. Of course, we should be able to raise much more than that, so please, all you walkers, join in! The special website not only makes it easy for you to do so, it also makes finding sponsors a piece of cake, and every last cent of the sponsor money will go to the charities. So once again, JOIN IN!

We had already decided to stop holding the opening ceremony in the Goffert stadium, and we have now decided to have a simple but stylish ceremony at the Wedren instead. We've got 4pm on Monday afternoon in mind at the moment, but still need to consider the exact details of the ceremony, so I'll come back to you on that at a later date.

As far as we can currently tell, spending cuts at the Dutch Ministry of Defence will have the following consequences in 2012:
1.       Stichting DE 4DAAGSE will take over the registration of Dutch military participants from the Ministry of Defence, including the financial administration.
2.       The Ministry of Defence will cease to erect hospital tents for the purpose of medical care at the rest areas - Stichting DE 4DAAGSE will provide such facilities.
3.       The Ministry of Defence will only continue to lay a pontoon bridge for the purpose of crossing the River Meuse in Cuijk if the costs of this operation are reimbursed. Stichting DE 4DAAGSE is doing its utmost the secure the necessary funds.
4.       The Ministry of Defence will not participate in the opening ceremony.

There are a few other changes too, but they mainly relate to internal operations at the Ministry of Defence. Despite the fact that the above changes will entail additional costs, we are, at the moment, extremely pleased that Camp Heumensoord will be built again in 2012, and it's also looking as though it will be in 2013 as well. It is the building of this camp above all that enables all those Dutch and international military contingents to participate, and to be honest, we can't really imagine holding the Four Days Marches without them. It is crucial that they can continue participating, not only for the sake of history, but also for that of the event's format and image.

Friday, 23 December 2011

In the past two months we have been traditionally busy working not only on the preparations but also on the 2012 budget. It is clearly noticeable that the economic crisis does not pass by our event. Besides the generally rising costs, other matters are also emerging. The decrease in sponsorship fees is an example of this, as well as the extra charges as a result of the government withdrawing its support. 
Even though the definitive decision regarding the economies has not yet been taken by the Ministry of Defence, it is obvious that the decision will have consequences for our organisation in terms of extra charges. The same goes for the policy of the police forces which is heading towards deploying traffic controllers to be paid for by our organisation. On other hand, some expenses are cancelled because, for example, the Flag Parade will no longer take place in the Goffert stadium. After some adding up and deducting, we know we cannot avoid a significant increase in the registration fee from € 40 in 2011 to € 48 in 2012 (members of walking association KNBLO-NL and NWB will receive a € 5 discount.
Perhaps it would be good to see how your € 48 will be spent, so everyone will know everything it involves. I do have to note, however, that the walkers do not have to cover the full 100 % of all costs. A part of the costs can be covered because of the obliging subsidy of the city of Nijmegen and our loyal sponsors. But the part that remains will have to be covered by the registration fees. The walkers' contribution would look as follows:

Staff (paid staff and around 300 volunteers)                                                                  € 11.00
Administrative Costs (printing, telephone costs, postage, automation, etc.)          €   6.00
Infrastructure (set-up Wedren, rent buildings and areas)                                           €   8.00
Safety and order (surveillance, cameras, scanners, walkie-talkies, etc.)                €   9.00
Toilet facilities and costs related to the route                                                                €   4.00
Participant care (medical care, fresh water locations)                                                €   5.00
Rewards (medals)                                                                                                             €   3.00
Other                                                                                                                                     €   2.00
Total                                                                                                                                      €  48.00

Participants often ask me what they get for their money. Now you know. And on top of that, you will get a great atmosphere, music, fun and international unity. Furthermore, at the end of your great achievement there is a glorious entry. It can't get any better than that.
We are now starting to prepare our website in order for all information to be updated by early February so that the registration may begin. I wholeheartedly hope that everyone will be participating again.
What is left for me is to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We will meet again in 2012. 

Tuesdag, 16 November 2011

November is upon us once again. Over the last few months, we have been busy with the evaluations which have highlighted enough points for attention that we can deal with for the 96th edition. Here are the key points:
·         How should we organise the opening ceremony?
·         How can we keep things under control on the Wedren, on Friday afternoon in particular, when it is so busy?
·         How should we handle the impending major cut-backs on the part of the Ministry of Defence?
·         What should we do next with wristbands, lace chips and punch cards?

As far as the opening ceremony is concerned, we have already decided to stop holding the event in the Goffert stadium. Over the last few years, the stadium was never more than half full and just 5% of walkers attended the opening ceremony. And since the event is primarily organised for the walkers, this percentage is not enough for us to continue as we have done. We are currently thoroughly discussing the matter with Nijmegen City Council to see whether we can organise a simple public ceremony.

There is nothing yet to report on the busy Friday afternoon on the Wedren or developments relating to wristbands, etc. These matters are still being looked into in great detail.

Plenty of discussions are being held on the matter of Ministry of Defence cut-backs. It is clear as crystal and common knowledge that the Ministry of Defence is having to make massive cut-backs, and this will also affect their support of our event. Consequences will be felt in and after 2013 above all. We are currently first of all looking into how we can make cuts in 2012 without all too drastic consequences.

And also: there is great enthusiasm for continuing with the sponsored walk initiative, since almost € 200,000 was raised by just 250 walkers, even though the initiative was only launched on 1 June. The initiative will commence at the same time as registration (beginning of February) this time around. I'd like to take this early opportunity to call upon everyone to join in. It (practically) doesn't cost a penny and gets such a good result.

Former publications can be found in the Archive (button Event).