101st Nijmegen four-day march gets underway at dawn with 42,000 walkers

Crossing the Waal river at dawn. Photo: Erik van ’t Woud / Hollandse Hoogte

Just over 42,000 walkers are taking part in the 101st edition of the Nijmegen Vierdaagse, a four-day walking event which takes place every year in July.

The first walkers started out at 4am on Tuesday morning and by around 6.30am, half of the participants had left the starting point, news agency ANP said.

Civilians and soldiers from 67 different countries are taking part in the marches, which involve walking 30, 40 or 50 kilometres every day for four days.

This year again walkers are being urged to be sensible in the heat, which is set to top 30 degrees on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are expected to be cooler although there will be some rain in the region on Thursday.

In 2006 the event was cancelled after two walkers died of heat stroke.

Key facts about the Vierdaagse

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