Draw by lot 2019

Who is guaranteed participation and will therefore not included in the draw?

Walkers who have successfully completed the Four Days Marches at least once before are guaranteed participation in the 103^rd Four Days Marches.
The following four groups are exempt from the draw: anyone who the Central Administration, after checking proof of identity, has been able to determine was born in one of the calendar years 2004-2007; anyone who registered for the Via Vierdaagse programme in 2019; anyone who was eliminated by the draws for both the 101^st and the 102^nd editions of the Four Days Marches; anyone participating as part of a detachment or a group.
Civilian groups and detachments are also excluded from the draw. There are seperate regulations for these participants.

Does participation as a companion also count as a successful participation?

No, it does not. A successful participation is defined as a participation in a regulation distance, in which the participant has received a Four Days Marches Cross or a number as a reward. Participation for an orderly medal does not count as an official participation for a regulation reward. But it is still an achievement which a companion can be proud of!

Who will be included in the draw?

All civilian participants who never successfully participated in the Four Days Marches before and are registered to take part in the 103^rd Four Days Marches with the intention of gaining reward 1, will be included in the draw, with the exception of the following three groups: anyone who the Central Administration, after checking proof of identity, has been able to determine was born in one of the calendar years 2004-2007; anyone who registered for the Via Vierdaagse programme in 2019; anyone who was eliminated by the draws for both the 101^st and the 102^nd editions of the Four Days Marches.

Does everyone have the same chance of being drawn?

Yes, everyone who is included in the draw has the same chance of being drawn.

Is a 12-15 year old debutant ensured of participation?

Debutants born in 2004, 2005, 2006 or 2007 will be exempt from the draw, provided that the year of birth can be verified by the Central Administration by means of an ID check. After going through the registration module, participants who fall into this category will have the possibility to upload a digital copy of their identity card in My Four Days (at 'Personal details'). After approval of the ID, an email containing a payment link will be sent. Once the payment has been completed, registration is finished and the participant is insured of participation. If the registration is not completed by 22 March at 17.00 hrs CET with an online payment, the 12-15 year old debutant will have to participate in a possible draw.

When will I know whether or not I can participate?

Upon registration, those who are guaranteed participation will be immediately forwarded to the online payment environment. When online payment is complete, this will be shown on My Four Days. You then know for sure that your participation is guaranteed.
Those who are not guaranteed participation will not be sent to the payment page upon registration, and will need to wait until the registration period is over. This will be on 22 March 17.00 hrs CET. If there are more than 47,000 registrations, there will be a draw, which is due to take place on Friday 29 March. The result of the draw will be announced on My Four Days. ‘Drawn a place’ means that you may participate; ‘not drawn a place’ means that you may not participate. Those who have drawn a place will receive information about how to pay the registration fee. When payment is complete, this will be shown on My Four Days.

How can I see whether or not I have been drawn on My Four Days?

After you have entered your registration number and password on My Four Days a screen will appear showing your details. You will then see the notification "Unfortunately you have not drawn 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". All participants will also receive a personal email.

Why can I not enter the draw with someone else?

Registrations are personal, which means that the draw is also personal. This is why you cannot enter the draw with one or more other participants. Unfortunately, due to administrative reasons, it is not practical to combine individual registrations. Not only do technical changes need to be made, but one of the parties may also change their mind if the situation changes. We just cannot fulfil everyone's individual wishes. With the current regulations, we try to fulfil the requirements of the majority of participants. When somebody registers, they are informed well in advance of the implications if they are drawn. You have to weigh this up yourself.

If I am drawn, do I then have to participate?

No, you do not. If you are drawn, and therefore may participate, you have until 12 April to cancel your registration in writing. You will not need to pay the registration fee in this case, and you do not have to provide us with a reason for your cancellation.

Can I give away my starting ticket?

No, you cannot. Registrations are personal and therefore non-transferable. If you decide not to use your starting ticket, you have until 12 April to cancel.

Why does registration not close when the 47,000 limit has been reached?

The current approach gives everyone the opportunity to register. This includes those who realise late that the registration period has begun, and those who do not have access to the internet. Everyone now also receives the opportunity to request information before registering, and the registrations received are generally correct registrations. If registration were to be on a first come, first served basis, there would be a pressure to register as quickly as possible, while some people still need to request information. We think that more people would register in haste and then decide not to participate after all.

Can I see how many people have registered so far?

Yes. From 5 February onwards, we will regularly update the homepage with the number of registrations we have received. Immediately after registration closes, we check for double registrations and other irregularities. This can mean that the actual number of registrations received differs from the number we have most recently published on the website. The number of registrations specified to the notary prior to the draw and which will subsequently be published is final.

If I have not drawn a place, is there still a possibility to participate?

As mentioned in Article 11 of the Restriction protocol, the option of re-registration may be open to anyone who has been excluded by the draw from participating in the 103rd Four Days Marches. The Four Days Marches Board can decide to provide this option if it turns out that, after the payment and cancellation deadline of 12 April, the number of registrations has dropped significantly below the permitted 47,000, due to non-payment or cancellation. People who have been excluded by the draw will be informed about the re-registration procedure in due course. Did you not participate in the draw for the 103rd Four Days Marches? Then it is not possible for you to participate in the re-registration.