De 4 daagse (noch einmal !) / the Walk of the World in Nijmegen /July 2013 by Ton van Zutphen

This years walk took place under clear skies...fabulous weather indeed: cool in the morning, sunny throughout, a few light clouds and a temp. around 25 degrees C.  I had trained enough with a 25 kms trial run around the Lainzer Tiergarten a week before in Vienna and a few days walk up and down the river Maas in the vicinity of Lith where my sister Elly lives. The city of Nijmegen welcomed over 40,000 walkers and a much larger number of visitors every day..the mayor expecting nearly one million people over a full week's period. In fact I had never experienced downtown with such huge crowds and amenities: music in the streets, tables outside the cafes, bars open all night long..people swerving with beers and other adult beverages throughout town.
This was the 97th edition and my 5th march. Since my racewalking hobby started I try to pace myself hard during day 1 and day 3 when I am allowed to start early. Day one started off at 05.30 hrs and I came in at 10.15 hours finishing  my 40 kms and ranking first in my category...with a 6th place all together. There is the 'elite bench' of about 15 fast men and women where we talk about shoes and equipment...and speed. Interesting. There is an Englishman who arrives first every year...50 kms in about 5 hours...  and way beyond my league. Third day with the Breedeveld/Groesbeek/Berg en Dal hills I came in 7th and it took me 5 hours. The second and fourth day I walked with my friend Gerard Verstappen and we had time to reminisce and talk about our lives...and plans of which I realize I still have plenty. The third day we met with friends...Antonet, Fritz,  Gerard and others at café De Kroon which is about 400 meters before the finish ...and we saw those who had to be supported to get in before the bell of 17 hours rings...anybody arriving later will be disqualified and cannot start the next day. The last 500 walkers really suffer...but it is all part of the game. This year's registration came to 46,000 walkers...42,493 started and 39,396 made it to the finish at the end of day 4.  
This has now become a yearly event for me: 3 times I walked 200 kms and the last 2 times 160 kms. I hope next year more of our ex student colleagues from the Prof. Bromstreet 40 will participate such as Frie, Frans, Leon,...who dares?
And also Antonet, wife of our dear friend Cees who passed away one year ago in Nijmegen. It was wonderful to be with her, Gerard and his partner Isy at Café 'De Compagnie' where in the honor of Cees a beautifully crafted wooden bench has been placed. The Walk of the World (www.4daagse.nl) has become perhaps a ritual...to continue.
In the end..and an hour after arriving Friday afternoon I had a few difficult moments when I realized I had taken off my cap (to greet the mayor Bruls also), to receive the traditional flowers from Isy...'gladiolen'...walking with a bald head is not smart when the sun is out. I guess I did not drink enough in the last 3 kms. ...life is not perfect. Anyway..I know this for next year and I also realize clearly that 50kms every day is not for me anymore! 

Some stats:
I walked the 'fast' days on Saucony racing flats (FastWitch 5)
Day 2 and day 4 on Nike lunar glide 3
Always wearing running socks of the brand 'X socks' and using 'Rohde' Hirschtalg crème for my feet (before and after)
I had one blister on my small left toe / not really bothering me much
Met a few nice people...Hans, a Dutch power walker with similar interests to live in Vienna, Kirsten,  a retired Norwegian police officer, and the usual French randonneurs, who love it when someone speaks to them in their language.

I look foreward to next year...always third week in July.

Last but not least.... much thanks go to  Antonet who offered me the hospitality to stay and meet little Beer. We both know that big Beer was with us as well.