Nijmegen Marches
Posted by admin on Wednesday 21 October 2009 under 2009 | 
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What is the Nijmegen March?
The Nijmegen March, also known as “de 4-daagse”, is a 100 mile march in for days in the town of Nijmegen, Holland. All 100 miles of the march take place on the road and is the most popular sport in Holland. It was started by the Dutch association for sport as a method for keeping the country fit and healthy.
The Event
We arrived at Heumensoord on the night of Saturday 18th July after leaving Bury St. Edmund TA Centre at 0545. The team was in high spirits and after unloading the coach and saying bye to Ron the driver we went to are accommodations’. Each marquee consisted of about 10 rooms each containing at least 7 bunk beds. At this point the staff went to their safety briefings and the cadets went to the international beer tent to enjoy the choice of music and to generally have a great night. Norfolk and Suffolk Wing ATC were instantly recognisable after that night as “the orange lot” due to our fancy team shirts.
After a night of festivities and briefings for the staff the first question of the day came from the BMC (British Military Contingent) Support Staff regarding as to whether we had been consuming alcohol last night as cadets are restricted to a “no alcohol on base” rule. It soon became apparent to the other cadets and me the situation regarding security as we were all issued security passes and we noticed a constant patrol of armed soldiers; as well as the odd patrol from Military Police (MP) from various different countries.
For Sunday and Monday the staff members and the cadets disappeared into the lovely town of Nijmegen to enjoy some shopping and to get a flavour of the electrifying atmosphere. Everywhere we went we saw the development of large stages and outdoor drinking areas and carnivals. Many of the cadets and some staff decided to enjoy a ride which resulted in even the staff screaming in fear. The Monday evening resulted in the last team get together before the start of the marches the next day; this involved a trip to the Billabong for a team meal consisting mostly of kangaroo steak.
The following day, a Tuesday, consisted of an early stat, 0200 to be precise, for breakfast. It soon came apparent to use “first timers” the reasoning behind the early breakfast call as many of the people that arrived half an hour later found themselves eating without a table to sit at. After a lovely breakfast and having made our lunches for the day, we went back to our accommodations and got changed into our uniform for the day before retiring to our beds for a further hours sleep. Upon awaking it was still dark, much to our disapproval, but then again we were formed up at about 0430 so no real surprise for the lack of daylight. All we were waiting for was for us to start our march out of the base and onto the start of our 100 miles.
The weather was very good to us for the first three days of marching and with 75 miles under our belts the team were going strong. With the final foot tapping session in progress it was time to lighten the team sprits with a couple of practical jokes. Mostly leg waxing, and believe me it hurts; thanks Mr Sadler. With the team in giggling fits and tears coming from many eyes it was time for us to go to bed for a final sleep before our big day tomorrow.
“This is it” we all thought, “the last day; at last”. This day was to prove it’s self to be the hardest and most annoying. Half way through our first leg it started to rain; but not the proper rain that is irritating, it was the gentle teasing rain when it doesn’t know what it wants to do. But come the 2nd BMC rest area I said the wrong thing and low and be hold the heavens opened tremendously and this weather continued until the last 10 miles from the end of the day. In the end through the sun came out and the day got a lot better with the towns people coming out and cheering us on once again. Many of the team received flowers of congratulations and Flying Officer Paragons from Sudbury Squadron even got a hug and a kiss from a lady; I can’t help but feel sorry for her.
We finished our march just outside of Nijmegen were instantly placed into the BMC March Past. The march past consists of an additional 5 miles through the town of Nijmegen gathering flowers and gifts from members of the public. This march past is designed to give all marches a large sense of achievement.
Upon returning to the camp we received our medals and after packing most of our kit away, some of us went back to the international beer tent for the final time where as others either went in town to enjoy the festivities there or stayed in the accommodation too recuperate.
The next day Ron arrived early, so early that we were still in bed asleep. Upon waking up and getting dressed we packed the final items of kit and loaded the bus for the long journey home. As we passed through Brussels Ron stopped the bus at the cheapest shop in Europe before we reached the euro-tunnel. When we entered the UK we returned to Bury St. Edmund TA Centre and said our final goodbyes.
