Fire eaters, choirs, bands, laser shows and, as icing on the cake, dancing on the stage of De Nieuwe Kolk. It couldn’t be crazy enough during the fourteenth edition of the Asser Midnightwalk. Last night he was walked again after two years of absence.
The Midnightwalk is a sponsored walk in which a route of approximately eight kilometers is walked for a fee. Along the way there are all kinds of acts and stages, where different artists perform. The runners spend about two and a half hours on the walk.
There were 1350 registrations for the official starting signal, says chairman René Luinstra. “We race against the 1500 participants. Those are registered walkers. But there are also people who participate through sponsors, they are not included.” In the end, 1,534 hikers took part.
This resulted in an amount of 15,000 euros. That amount goes to charity. This year it is the National Fund for Children’s Aid. This foundation stands up for poverty among children. For example, they can get a bicycle or go on an outing. In addition, an amount will go to the hospice in Assen this year.
This year the starting signal was given on the Koopmansplein. The route then followed via the Triade, to the Groningerstraat, through the neighborhood building De Composer and went via the water tower to the final destination De Nieuwe Kolk in Assen. There the runners received a ribbon.
During the walking route, the walkers encountered various acts. There was dancing, there was music, there was a choir in De Timp sports hall and much more. At the finish in De Nieuwe Kolk the roles were reversed for once. The artist was in the hall, the participants were allowed to cross the stage to the hall.
The Midnightwalk is organized annually by Rotary Club Assen-Noord. The money that the walkers pay for participation, goes to a good cause in Assen every year. For example, Sportclub Bartje and the Food Bank received support during previous editions thanks to the evening walk.
In the last physical edition, in 2019, 19,500 euros were raised and 2000 runners took part.