Nijmegen Marches

The Nijmegen Marches in Holland is the world's largest annual walking event where walkers complete 40 kms/25 miles each day for 4 days, that is almost a marathon a day, along with up to 47,000 other walkers!  Originally established for the military in 1909 but despite a gradual rise in the number of civilian participants, it was not until 1919 that the first women successfully completed the Four Days Marches.  Completion is a fantastic personal achievement rewarded by the award fo the Nijmegen Cross, a royally acclaimed medal.

Read on to find out how the team did this year!

On Monday 14th July 2008 37 intrepid ‘Walk the Walkers’ met up at Hotel Bilderberg to take part in the famous Nijmegen Marches - the greatest power walking challenge.  We had already walked literally hundreds of miles in carefully planned training and here we were at last on the eve of the event!  The team was an interesting, diverse group of ladies with a wide age range.  Among the team were three 2007 veterans who had returned to do it all again, two sets of sisters, two mother and daughter teams as well as a number of close kit groups of between two and four.  There were also several ladies who had come alone but who soon made new friends and found walking partners/companions.  That evening excitement was tangible as we all got together for a briefing and to collect our all important registration cards, pink feathers and union flags!  After dinner we all retired early in anticipation of a 4.00 am call the following morning...

Day 1 - Elst

It was still dark when our coach reached Nijmegen at 5.30 am for the 6.00 am start - all dressed in WTW bra t-shirts, clutching our flags, hats etc.  While filled with nervous anticipation we were all keen to get started.  We followed the crowds towards the centre of town and joined a slow queue near one of the starting gates.  Eventually we moved forward and went through the start check point.  So we set off out of Nijmegen into the bright light of a beautiful sunrise.  Already there were people outside their houses to wish us well on our way which was most encouraging.  The time and miles passed quickly - through lovely scenery, across spectacular bridges, past acres of maize, through friendly villages and all in the company of thousands of  walkers.  Our fellow participants were of equally diverse ages and backgrounds from all over the world and included many uniformed military squads too!  Not surprising then that the Marches are also known as the ‘Walk of the World’!  Every one of our team fared well and soon we were back at the hotel eager for a restorative swim, sauna and massage.  A delicious pasta meal followed and then again to bed early …

Day 2 – Wijchen

Again we had a 6.00 am start and, on the basis of experience from the day before, on arrival in town we made a bee line for the loos and then did our warm up while in the queue for the start line.  While the temperature was warm and the sun shone intermittently heavy rain also fell on and off during the morning.  So out came the wrap macs …  This combination of warm and wet was not good for the feet so sadly this was the start of painful blisters for many!  By the end of the day the Red Cross was reporting record numbers of patients!  The blister hospital care was superb and without it many would not have completed the full course.  According to the Dutch organisers “there is no such thing as a Four Day Marches without blisters”!  This day’s route was long and not as picturesque as Day 1 and with fewer towns and villages.   Nonetheless the locals along the way came out the cheer us on, to offer sweets, fruit, water and unstinting encouragement.  The final stretch of the day’s route seemingly went on for ever - having reached the outskirts of Nijmegen we unknowingly had a further 2 or 3 miles to walk which was mentally and physically very tough.  Probably the part of the route least enjoyed by most!  So many were noticeably wearier at the end of the day while at the same time delighted that we were ‘half way there’!

Day 3 - Groesbeek

This was our 5.00 am start day so breakfast was from 3.00 am and we left the hotel at 4.00 am.  The early start meant that we had space to walk at our pace from the beginning which was most liberating!  As a consequence most of us walked faster - in spite of the hills!  Holland is famous for being flat but on this day we encountered Zevenheuvelenweg (‘the road of the seven hills’) - but they were gentle and rolling so did not challenge us too much.  The accompanying scenery was the prettiest yet and again the villages were bedecked with colourful flags and carnival like decorations.  Bands played, choirs sang and all residents appeared to come out to applaud the walkers’ efforts.  Everyone returned in reasonable time - tired and relieved - only one more day to go! 

Day 4 – Cuijk

Back to a 6.00 am start - real excitement and anticipation - just 25 miles to go - so near and yet so far!  On the final day all Nijmegen veterans proudly wore their medals from previous years - what better encouragement could there be?  Would we really all have our own by the end of the day?  Unfortunately the weather was not good - heavy rain so all were swathed in plastic etc but nothing could dampen our spirits!  Again we marched through lovely countryside - this time alongside a handsome river.  The raised pathways stretched out for miles and as far as the eye could see there were walkers cheerfully marching on.  This was definitely a special day - every village was in party mode - more people, more sweets, more music and bunch upon bunch of gladioli!  As we got nearer to the end the crowds were dozens deep and the road was strewn with gladioli leaves.  We were simply swept along in the enthusiastic excitement - sore feet and aching muscles were forgotten.  A group of us gathered together amidst a sea of union flags to cover that last few miles together.  We sang, danced, walked, hobbled, limped, laughed together and made quite a spectacle of crossing the finish line with linked hands aloft shrieking ‘Walk the Walk’.  It was an utterly amazing day - the support was overwhelming and got better and better as the day progressed.  Gladioli, music, beer, wine, sweets, cheering crowds and children everywhere - never mind the rain!  43,450 people started on Day 1 and 34,962 finished on Day 4 and we were amongst that grand total! 

We had done it – 160 kms/100 miles in four days - someone said this was about 61,000 steps each day but no one was counting!  Huge commitment had enabled us to complete this enormous mental and physical challenge.  Having collected our much prized medals we then made our painful way to the train station and back to the hotel.  After a refreshing bath we were treated to a champagne reception.  Having supped our bubbly we then had another photo session - this time with bra t-shirts and our precious medals.  After final massage sessions the evening was spent in happy reflection of our amazing achievement that was well worth every step!! 

We did it!

The whole event was superbly organised from travel arrangements, hotel bookings, event registration, to pink feathers and Dutch phrase cards!  Hotel de Bilderberg was a very nice hotel, with friendly and helpful staff and excellent facilities.  The massage therapist team were superb - all very nice people with excellent professional skills and fun personalities whose support was invaluable.  And last but not least the walking team - a truly valiant group - by the end of the week we felt that we had all known each other for much longer than the 5 days - we had been through so much together!