AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS
What ever happened to...?
a trip down memory lane
A rich 4Days Marches history: Wim Jansen
As the march coordinator between 1996 and 2007, Wim Jansen oversaw a major change: the organisational transition from the Royal Dutch League for Physical Education (Koninklijke Nederlandse Bond voor Lichamelijke Opvoeding, or KNBLO) to the independent Stichting De 4Daagse. ‘We started out with five board members and hundreds of indispensable volunteers. Together, we laid the foundation for the 4Days Marches as it is today. I’m extremely proud of that.’
Thanks to my background as a commander at the Dutch Ministry of Defence, I know how to set up a solid organisation. This kind of know-how was greatly needed, as the new organisation had to cope with considerable adversity, ranging from floods to the whole event being cancelled in 2006 due to extreme heat. ‘We were, however, prepared for it. For us, it was all about keeping the walkers safe. And that gave us incredible satisfaction.’
What has stayed with Wim more than anything else from those days is the effort put in by the board and the volunteers who kept rolling up their sleeves. ‘They were always ready to help, even when things got tough. That’s just so valuable. I can go on about it for hours.’
Still involved
Wim personally walked the 4Days Marches on two occasions, although it took some coaxing by friends. ‘That’s when you really feel what it means. My message: be proud. You’re doing something special.’
Wim is now an honorary member of the 4Days Marches. The appreciation for his efforts is still palpable. The current board still invites him and other honorary members to a special dinner every year. That’s when they get a chance to catch up on the latest developments around the organisation.
Anton Griep, sidekick on Qmusic afternoon radio show
‘I bit off more than I could chew’
Untrained. That’s how radio host Anton Griep started the 2024 4Days Marches. Being an avid walker in the dunes near the beach resort of Zandvoort, how hard could it be? He had already sorted out a place to sleep: ‘A listener from Beek offered me a bed at their house. They even gave me socks and a bike to use. It was great!’
It all started well on day one. ‘The weather was perfect and I walked with a nice group of people.’ Around 1pm, however, the first aches and pains came knocking. Excessive strain on my feet pressure points was the diagnosis at a medical aid station. And to top it off, he was unable to find his bike after he crossed the finish line that day. ‘I just wanted to sleep!’ he says full of self-pity.
Day two started with a bad mood and painkillers. ‘But how about all that energy that the spectators bring, wow! Top notch. A little girl offered me a marshmallow. Melted my heart, that did.’
An untimely end
Later on day two, the pain came back. He really couldn’t keep going. That was the end of the 4Days Marches for Anton. ‘On Friday, I saw my walking buddies at the finish. Everybody asked how I was doing. I even turned out to be the most followed walker! But I do admit, I bit off more than I could chew.’
'You become family'
Wout (80) and Mieke Engelaar (76) were enthusiastic checkpoint volunteers for years. And the 4Days Marches is still part of their daily lives to this day.
Every year, they count the days to the start of the 4Days Marches. From their home on the bank of the river Waal, they can see the walkers cross the bridge in the morning. They have also walked the 4Days Marches themselves. Wout walked the 55km route at the time, Mieke unfortunately had to withdraw after one courageous attempt.
Friendships for life
It did not diminish Mieke’s love of the walking event, however. For 30 years, she was a checkpoint official, checking walkers’ checkpoint card. ‘As a little girl, I would sit on the pavement watching all those walkers pass by. People made pancakes, even Prince Claus stopped by.’
Mieke eventually became checkpoint coordinator, meaning that she was in charge of designating volunteers to the various checkpoints. Transport, lunch…she would take care of all it with equal parts pleasure and dedication. Retiring was hard. Mieke: ‘I cried my eyes out, because you do become family.’ Many of the volunteers became their friends for life, says Wout. ‘The 4Days Marches is an all-year-round thing for us.’