International Four Days Marches Nijmegen Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
The International Four Day Marches Nijmegen (or Vierdaagse) is the largest marching event in the world. It is organised every year in Nijmegen in mid-July. Participants walk 30, 40 or 50 kilometers daily, and, on completion, receive a royally approved medal (Vierdaagsekruis). The participants are mostly civilians, but there are also a few thousand military.
The next Vierdaagse will be held from July 19 until July 22, 2005. Registration starts on February 7, 2005. See the
official Vierdaagse site.History
The Vierdaagse was first organised in 1909. Since then, the number of
participants has increased gradually until the current figure of around 45,000.Vierdaagsefeesten
During the week of the Vierdaagse the accompanying festivities (known as the Vierdaagsefeesten) always draw a large crowd.Recent
In 2004 there were 44,638 participants of which 39,711 completed the march.