FACTS & FIGURES
The Checkpoint department
the eyes of the route
Out on the route, a total of 66 volunteers make sure the 4Days Marches stays fair and safe. They punch checkpoint cards, weigh marching kits and walk along, often without anyone noticing. Here is the Checkpoint department in numbers.
66 volunteers
All 4Days Marches checkpoint officials are volunteers. Not only do they check whether you’re walking the right route by punching your checkpoint card, but they also monitor compliance with other regulations.
Since 1909
The Checkpoint department has existed as long as the 4Days Marches itself, checking whether walkers follow 4Days Marches regulations at all 108 editions.
2 to 5 checkpoints a day
Every day, there are between two and five fixed checkpoints along the route. There are also mobile teams out on the route, unnoticed by most walkers.
2 to 3 mobile checkpoint teams
The mobile teams walk among the walkers. They observe from the side of the road, intervening only when they spot a rule violation.
350,000 card punches per edition
Every walker has their card checked at least twice each day. This means roughly 350,000 card punches, over 5,300 per checkpoint official.
9 to 10 hours in action
The early birds among the checkpoint officials start at 04.00 hrs. Their shift runs through to 17.00 hrs, including the daily briefing and debriefing. Hot conditions, physically demanding work, and early starts.
15 kilometres a day, half of it walking backwards
A checkpoint official walks 15 kilometres a day on average. They walk backwards for half of it to keep an eye on the approaching peloton.
±50 disqualifications per edition
Anyone who fails to adhere to the regulations runs the risk of being disqualified. Roughly 50 walkers per edition never make it to the finish line as a result.
10 kilograms
Doubts about a military participant’s marching kit? Checkpoint officials will weigh it there and then using a calibrated weighing hook. Under 10 kilograms means instant disqualification.
Top 3 rule violations
Short-cuts, walking with a cane and military marching kits below the required weight. These are the three most common rule violations that checkpoint officials encounter.
Watch out at junctions
Junctions on the route are where checkpoint officials see things go wrong most often. Take a wrong turn there and you’ll end up walking the wrong route and may be disqualified.
Most frequently asked questions
‘How much further is it?’ and ‘Where’s the medical post?’ are the questions that checkpoint officials get asked most often. Thankfully, they always know the answer.