Thousands cross finishing line as Nijmegen Vierdaagse ends

The 108th edition of the Nijmegense Vierdaagse (four-day march) ended on Friday, with tens of thousands of walkers being welcomed with flowers by well-wishers.

British walker Simon Brownlee crossed the finishing line ahead of the rest of the walkers for the 27th time, local media reported. Brownlee, who completed the distance before 10am, told local broadcaster Omroep Gelderland that the walk “felt like home”. “I’m happy it is over and I can now relax,” he said.

Wheelchair participant Ronald van Dort was the very first person to finish, picking up his seventh medal for completing the event.

Over 45,000 walkers from 70 countries took part in this year’s series, which is proving increasingly popular among the young. Ten years ago, 7.5% of the walkers were aged 21 to 30, but this year their number rose to over 20%.

This year the event was marred by a fatal shooting just outside the area where the Vierdaagsefeesten, the street festivities accompanying the annual four-day marches, were taking place. One man has been arrested.

The shooting, and other crowd problems, led the organisers to cancel performances by urban scene artists such as Ronnie Flex and Lil’ Kleine because their presence was “attracting the wrong sort of people”, the AD reported.