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Dear 4Days Marches participant,

Hubert Bruls, Mayor of Nijmegen

On behalf of all the people of Nijmegen, I wish you a warm welcome to the Netherlands’ oldest city. For over 100 years now, Nijmegen has been the starting point of our country’s largest walking event, the 4Days Marches. Needless to say, we are extremely proud of that!

As you take part in the 4Days Marches, you will not only follow in the footsteps of hundreds of thousands of walkers who went before you every summer for over a century now, but you will also walk along roads and paths where Roman legions marched over 2000 years ago. This is why the last street you walk as you triumphantly make your way to the finish line is renamed ‘Via Gladiola’ for one day every year.

During the third week of July every year, Nijmegen is sent into a frenzy, with music playing all over the city from early in the morning until late in the evening, road closures, and walkers and party-goers filling up hotels, campsites and guest houses. The people of Nijmegen are used to the pleasant hustle and bustle and look forward to turning the event into a party together with you.

100 years of the 4Days Marches in Nijmegen. Four days full of adventures and stories. There is no doubt in my mind that you, like all those other walkers from the past 100 editions, will go home with unforgettable memories afterwards. Personally, I also greatly enjoy this week every year. I still remember vividly my very first 4Days Marches as mayor back in 2012. It ended up being a very special week for me. It felt welcoming, extra festive and, to top it all off, the weather was great. I hope you will feel just as welcome as I did then.

Four different routes await you, crossing Nijmegen and its surrounding municipalities, taking you through lively streets and a stunning, green environment. I hope you will enjoy the togetherness and exuberance, the fine walking weather and, of course, that you make it to the finish line without any injuries.

See you at the entry on Via Gladiola, and hopefully next year as well!

Hubert Bruls Mayor of Nijmegen

4DAYS MARCHES FEELING

"I hope you will feel just as welcome as I did then."