Two registration periods - Four Days Marches 2005
Participants in 2004 are guaranteed a place in 89th edition
Two periods have been allocated at the beginning of next year for participants to register in the 89th International Four Days Marches Nijmegen. The total number of registrations is limited to 47,500.
Only 4,000 certificate walkers will be allowed to enter the Four Days Marches in 2005. No amendments will be made to the ‘Distances and Awards Regulations’ with respect to 2004.
The first registration period: from Monday 7 February to Friday 11 March 2005 – is for registrations from participants who took part in the Four Days Marches 2004. As long as the correct procedure is followed and registration takes place within the allocated period, all participants in 2004 will be assured of a starting place in the 2005 edition
Second registration period: New participants and anyone else who wishes to take part in the Four Days Marches in 2005 will be offered an opportunity to register during the period from Monday 14 March to midnight on Friday 15 April 2005. Registrations during this period will be put in a draw for a starting place. The draw will be held immediately after 15 April. The number of starting places drawn will be the difference between the number of registrations from the first period and the upper registration limit of 47,500 determined by the foundation’s executive committee. The moment of registration in either period is not important. All registrations in the second period will be put in the draw for a starting place.
In both registration periods, Dutch and international participants will be able to register in writing or on-line.
No exceptions
"At the beginning of February, all participants who actually started on the first day in 2004 will be invited to register for the Four Days Marches 2005. Participants in 2004 who registered online and whose correct e-mail address is known will receive an e-mail. The registration regulations will be published as a printed brochure and on our website", explains General Manager Wim Jansen of the Four Days Marches. "Registration outside these periods is absolutely impossible. There are no waiting lists and we will make no exceptions for anyone."
"Forty-five thousand is about as much as we can accommodate" was the conclusion reached by the organisers last year. "More people along the route itself and at the start and finish points will simply detract from everyone’s enjoyment. What's more, if we admitted any more participants, we would no longer be able to properly manage them or guarantee their safety – in other words, we could no longer ensure a trouble-free event in terms of public order." These conclusions resulted in the introduction of a registration limit and a new form of registration.
Performance event
The Stichting DE 4DAAGSE will further reduce the number of certificate walkers (those walking the 30 kilometer route each day rather than the longer routes) in the coming years. This will mean a gradual phasing out of the different awards for men and women over the 40 kilometre walk."The Four Days Marches have always traditionally been a performance event, attracting royal recognition in the form of the Four Days Marches Cross. Over the years, we introduced the certificate distances, mainly to offer newcomers the chance to get to know the Four Days Marches. Because they did not walk the regulation distance that corresponded with their age, they were given a certificate rather than an official medal. We are hoping to persuade more people to go back to doing the regulation distance", says Wim Jansen.
Discrimination
Earlier this year, the Equal Treatment Commission accused the Stichting of discrimination. According to the regulations, men were awarded a certificate over the 40 kilometre distance, while women participants in the same age group received a Four Days Marches Cross for their achievement.The two universities which were requested by the Four Days Marches to investigate equal walking performance in men and women have not yet produced results which justify an amendment of the distances and awards regulations. Wim Jansen: "However, by reducing the number of certificate walkers every year, we are also responding to the views of the Equal Treatment Commission."
By limiting the number of registered participants to 47,500 – 500 more than in 2004 – the foundation’s executive committee expects a maximum of 45,000 walkers to turn up at the start line. In the 2004 edition, 44,638 walkers actually took part out of a total 48,644 registrations.
The 89th International Four Days Marches Nijmegen will be held from 19 to 22 July 2005.
