FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Three frequently asked questions
About the 4Days Marches
The 4Days Marches is a massive event that both participants and those following it from the sidelines always have a lot of questions about. We have picked out three frequently asked questions and answered them for you below.
Question 1: How does the 4Days Marches deal with congestion on the route?
Congestion on the route is an important point to many walkers. Both the organisers and the municipal authorities in the various towns and villages along the route work together to manage crowds and ensure a safe, pleasant walking experience for all. The reporting and information centre, for example, monitors areas that can get very crowded on a continuous basis. Whenever they detect congestion at any point on the route, walkers can be rerouted along a ‘bypass’ to keep everyone moving.
For this year’s edition, we have optimised both the start and finish location and the schedules to avoid peak crowds. A more even spread at the start will ensure a better flow of walkers on the route. While it may mean that you will have a slightly longer wait at De Wedren, it will prevent congestion along the way. Whatever we do, participants’ safety and comfort is our top priority. This way you can focus fully on your walking performance.
Question 2: Has the 4Days Marches ever explored new route options?
The 4Days Marches’ routes were carefully designed with walkers’ safety and the accessibility of facilities in mind. We only explore new route options when we really have to, such as when safety is at stake or when the traffic situation has changed. Changing the routes is complicated, because they run through various towns and villages and require a large number of permits. Even just a minor route adjustment can take years to implement. On top of that, the routes must always be easily accessible to emergency services and not every road offers that kind of accessibility. Finally, the towns and villages along the routes prepare all year to make walkers’ passage through their town or village as festive as possible, which is a tradition that gives each route its unique splendour.
Question 3: Why do you only get pins with numbers after the 11th 4Days Marches Cross and until the 25th time you complete the 4Days Marches? Aren’t the 15th and 20th editions milestones as well?
The history of the 4Days Marches Cross is just as fascinating as that of the 4Days Marches itself. In the old days, after being awarded the Golden Cross on completing your tenth 4Days Marches, you would not get a new cross until you completed the marches for the 40th time, because that was when a new enamelled inlay would be set into the cross. Later on, a decision was made to award a new cross after completing the 4Days Marches for the 25th time. Additionally, the more editions you have completed, the more precious metal there is in the medal. This not only increases the value of the 4Days Marches Cross, it also makes it more expensive to make. A number is a lot cheaper to offer. For the true serial walkers, there are special crosses after completing the 4Days Marches for the 40th, 50th, 60th and even the 70th time.
71 times!
The record is held by Bert van der Lans, who completed the 4Days Marches as many as 71 times. In January 2025, Bert van der Lans died at the age of 92. The last time he took part was in 2019, when he withdrew on day two. His dedication and passion for walking are a lasting inspiration to all.