:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/90880336-e995-11eb-b736-0217670beecd.jpg "King of the Four Days Marches passes the baton | Inland")
The undisputed ‘Mister Four Days Marches’ has already heard the start of the largest walking event in the world 72 times. He successfully completed no fewer than 71 editions, but the march of two years ago ended in a soft spot for the Nijmegen resident: “After the first day of walking, I fell off my bike on the way home and broke a collarbone. At first I wanted to continue, because in the Tour de France riders also continue with fractures. But one injury is not the same.”
Setback
The unfortunate fall heralded a period of unrelenting setback for Van der Lans. While he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, his wife Ria suffered two serious falls shortly after the 60th wedding anniversary: “She can barely do anything anymore, I am currently a caregiver. I used to take her to painting lessons and then play a round of golf myself to keep in shape. Then I picked her up again later. That rhythm is gone, now she has to go to a care hotel a few times a week.”
And then his son died earlier this year. In short, life hasn’t smiled at the walking king for a while.
“Last year there was emotion, now there is resignation”
Compared to all the private misfortunes, the second cancellation in a row of the Four Days Marches only means minor inconvenience for the Nijmegen resident: “It is especially a pity for the organization.” It is only little consolation for the march leaders that in the coming days about 20,000 walkers will walk an alternative Four Days Marches in a self-chosen environment. They have installed a special app that counts the meters traveled. Different distances can be walked and real medals can be ordered. “We offer a little party feeling in the third week of July, but hope to be able to greet everyone again soon in Nijmegen,” said march leader Henny Sackers. He meets a lot of understanding for the new cancellation, which was announced to the world in February: “Last year there was a lot of emotion, now there is resignation.”
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‘Master walker’ Van der Lans pays all attention to the children who take their first steps during the Four Days Marches.
Ⓒ WHAT
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Virus variants
Nobody dares to guarantee that there will be another Four Days Marches in 2022. Van der Lans: “With all those new virus variants, it can sometimes remain dangerous to gather with many.” Whether he himself will be present at the next edition? “The Parkinson’s is fairly stable, but I notice that the advanced age is starting to play tricks on me. We have to wait and see. Perhaps the eternal second, Mr Dick Koopman from Alkmaar, will soon be able to catch up with me. He has one less Four Days Marches cross, is a year older than me, but still a tawny man. It was always a sporting battle between us, it would have been heartily awarded to him.”
Despite all the vicissitudes, the ‘master hiker’ has all the attention on Tuesday morning for the young hikers, a hundred children aged 11 and older who are taking their first steps in their alternative Four Days Marches. Until Friday they will run ten kilometers each time. “I am happy to pass the baton to these young enthusiasts.”
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