They still have a few tens of kilometers to go and then the Alkmaar walking musketeers Inico, Hans Maarten and Harry hope to have collected 45,000 euros for a walk-in house. The men began their 450-kilometer walk this spring. And today they had the honor of opening the cheese market. “I can still feel the resonance in my elbow,” laughs Harry, ringing the bell.
Hans Maarten Parriger, Inico Geels and Harry van de Kuijt are now well-known appearances in and around Alkmaar. In their yellow shirts, the Walking musketeers, as they call themselves, in March on their 450-kilometer hike. This is what they do for charity: ‘t Praethuysa walk-in center for anyone affected by cancer.
“We are walking 450 kilometers because Alkmaar is celebrating its 450th Relief this year”, the walking friends previously told NH. “We run different stages: 10 every Saturday, then the four days of Alkmaar and Nijmegen and a final of 50 kilometers in early September.
Bizarre amount of money
With two weeks to go and almost 400 kilometers in the legs, the trio is approaching the finish line. There is also a gigantic amount on the counter: 43,000 euros. “Our goal was 30,000, so this is incredible and really moving,” says Hans Maarten. “Even if we don’t make it, it’s okay,” Harry adds. “It’s already bizarre a lot.”
The money has been raised by about 230 donors, and according to the musketeers is a very welcome addition to the budget of the walk-in house. “I once had cancer myself, and I know how nice it is when you find people who understand you and support you through thick and thin,” said Harry.
“At ‘t Praethuys, the counter starts at zero every year,” he explains. “They do not receive subsidies and do have to rent a house and pay professionals. They have to balance their budget of over €100,000. And then it’s great if you can bring in such an amount.”
Text continues below photos
“And walking is still going smoothly,” says Inico, the oldest of the three. “We walk kilometer after kilometer and have nothing to complain about except for a small blister. We are especially looking forward to September 2. That will be an exciting day given the final amount.”
Cheese bubble
On that Saturday the men run their final kilometers. “At half past four in the morning we leave from the Koedijkervlotbrug, then to Zuidschermer, De Rijp, you name it, to finish in Alkmaar at 4 p.m. Via the Langestraat we go to the Grote Kerk where we reveal the check.”
To draw even more attention to their sponsored run, the musketeers were allowed to open the cheese market today. Harry rang the cheese bell on behalf of the trio. “I still have the resonance in my elbow. It was great,” he chuckles. “It was a wonderful sound and a one-time honor. For a real Alkmaarder like me, it really feels like an honor. Super fun.”
To view this content, you must accept cookies.