Netherlands> Sport events

Vierdaagse

Among the most famous international marching events is the Four Day Marches Nijmegen, or Vierdaagse, in the Netherlands. It takes place in the city of Nijmegen annually, toward the middle of July. The prize conferred on participants is the Vierdaagsekruis, a medal approved by the royalty. The marching course even reaches 50 km a day at times.

The Vierdaagse dates back to the early 20th century. It has been held annually since, except during the world wars. The event keeps growing in popularity regardless of the strenuous conditions, involving a continuous four-day walk. At the present, appropriately 45 000 people volunteer for the event. Many register to participate, but do not start. Some drop out, weary of long march. It is commendable that many civilians and tourists do complete the walk, as it was initially designed as a component of Dutch Army training, and has changed little since then in terms of conditions and requirements. Motor vehicles emerged to alleviate army tasks, and the march was established to keep the soldiers in shape. Today the march is open to tourists and civilians, but foreign armies send troops to take part as well. The latest data show that around ten thousand military men and women march annually. They usually march in teams with anywhere from 12 to 30 members. They sing songs, which helps them maintain a stable pace. This is also of interest to the spectators. The difference with the military marchers is that they do not follow the same terrain, and do not begin at Nijmegen with the others.

The 89th edition of the march took place this year. Of the 43,206 that started out, an ambitious and determined 38,225 finished the march. Next year the event is scheduled to begin on July 18 through July 21. Potential candidates are allowed to register after February 2006.

This international event can be traced back to 1904. The Breda Army Division established a football club, and the first competition was held one year later. This event motivated other sports organizations to promote physical education, which was rather underdeveloped in those years. The Dutch Physical Education Association was established in 1908, with 40 organizations under its auspice. Their members focused on improving children's sports facilities among other things.

The notion to arrange a four-day march in Breda emerged at the time, and the Dutch Physical Education Association devised 15 itineraries for this purpose in 1909. The total length of the track was 150 km, and 306 soldiers set out to conquer it that year, together with 10 civilians. The Four Days' Cross was awarded to the participants, a prestigious recognition presented by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.

1919 was a record year in that Mrs Stockum-Metelerkamp successfully covered the marching course, becoming the first woman to do so.

A marching club was established in Rotterdam in 1928, and the event reached cross-border magnitude. German, French, Norwegian and British delegations travelled to Nijmegen for the Four Days March. This decision was politically motivated, as Amsterdam was set to host the Olympics that year. All British marchers won group prizes. These special prizes are part of the Four Days March tradition to this day. In the 30s the Four Days received its own anthem, composed by the great Mechelen.

Memorable dates of the event are 1921 and 1939. In 1921 40% of participants dropped out of the competition in result of a severe heat wave, while just 2.39% dropped out in 1939. This proved to be a shadow of optimism at the outset of the Second World War, which broke out that year. There was no possible way to hold the march during the war, but it was re-established in 1946 with more candidates than ever.

Today the march is more popular than it has ever been, with participants from all over the world. Millions of tourists flock to Nijmegen during these four days.

The march has enjoyed the attention of royalty in the past, such as HRH Prince Claus, who personally took part.

The event is supported by the Red Cross, a large number of sponsors, the defence ministry and Nijmegen district.