
Story of Tijn
"It's nice to get that appreciation directly from the people!"
With only a few weeks to go until the start of the 107th edition of the 4Days Marches in Nijmegen, the organization has informed participants about the updated starting procedure. This week, walkers received an email with practical information about their start time, tips, and the main innovations for this year.
Staggered start, more walking enjoyment
One of the biggest changes is the new scanning procedure at the starting gates. Whereas last year an average of 1,600 to 2,100 walkers passed through every five minutes, this will now be reduced to around 1,000 to 1,250. This may result in slightly longer waiting times at the start (a maximum of ten minutes more compared to last year), but will lead to more peace and space along the route. While waiting, walkers will be entertained with a warm-up and music.
Walkers covering 40 kilometers are advised to start around 6:00 hrs CET, as it is usually quieter at that time, allowing them to proceed more smoothly.
“Last year’s evaluation showed that walkers experienced crowding in certain sections of the route,” said march leader Henny Sackers. “By spreading the start more evenly, we expect a calmer beginning to the day and more enjoyment along the way.”
Comfort at the Wedren
The start and finish area has also been redesigned. With two starting gates, additional seating, more shade, and a revamped stage, there is a strong focus on comfort and experience. Medical services have been moved to the Karel de Grote College, located directly next to the Wedren, and additional bicycle parking has been made available in the surrounding area.
3,384 Tickets Transferred
The deadline for participants to transfer their ticket was today at 17:00 hrs CET. In total, 3,200 entry tickets changed hands, a significant increase compared to the 2,384 last year. The period during which transfers were allowed was slightly longer this year, which may have contributed to the higher number of transfers.
“It's great to see that this arrangement allowed us to make many ticket seekers happy,” said Sackers. “We’re pleased with the outcome but remain critical. As previously announced, we will re-examine the registration and ticket transfer process this fall to see where further improvements can be made.”