Over the past 20 years, walking in North Holland has taken off enormously. At the moment, there are eight walking events in our province every year, in which a total of around one hundred thousand people participate. Sibel Önemli wonders why walking has suddenly become so important.
“It all started in 2003 with the introduction of the first Walking Marathon in Egmond”, senior event manager of Le Champion Jeroen Wouda tells Sibel. “Our mission is to inspire and facilitate as many people as possible, young and old, to exercise and exercise, in order to contribute to a healthy society. Le Champion has been organizing running and cycling events for more than 50 years. By also organizing walking events you can get a lot more people moving.”
“Walking is not only healthy, but also connects people”
It is known that walking is healthy. But the reason that around one hundred thousand people now participate in the walking events every year is not just because of health, especially the ‘sociability’ plays an important role. That certainly applies to hiking friends Natasja Tervoort and Linda Groen from Heerhugowaard. The ladies have been members of Le Champion for years and participate in almost all walking events.
For fun
“Our first trip was in 2013, which was with the Egmond Walking Marathon. The weather was really bad then, but we are still addicted to walking,” says Linda, when we meet the ladies during the Walking 4 Days of Alkmaar. “Since then we have participated in almost all Le Champion walking events”, Natasja adds.
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There are now eight walking events in the province. In addition to the Wandel4daagse van Alkmaar, people can participate in Dam tot Dam Wandeltocht, the 30 van Zandvoort, the Fjoertoer Egmond, the Amsterdam City Walk, the Zandvoort Light Walk, the Haarlem City Walk. And if all that wasn’t enough, Le Champion also organizes various club walks for members.
“When I see all those people walking, my heart just beats faster”
“When I see all those people walking, my heart just beats faster,” Natasja tells Sibel. “It’s just very nice. You meet everyone again and have a chat with everyone. And also the people along the route. It really is a big party. It is also always very nice and well cared for at the various posts.”
“Everything is well facilitated. There is extensive and good care at the posts, in addition to benches, toilets and medical posts, there is also something tasty to eat,” explains event manager Wouda. “We do everything we can to make the event attractive to make. The routes invite you to learn more about the place. Each event is unique in character. There is something for everyone: short and long distances, young and old, everyone can participate.”
In the program Champions Sibel Önemli goes in search of the stories behind the participants in the many sporting events in our province. A healthy lifestyle is paramount here. This program is made in collaboration with Le Champion.