De 80 van de Langstraat has come to an end. The board of the walking event in Waalwijk has decided to stop. According to the organization, among other things, the lack of volunteers, incurred costs and increasing rules make it impossible to continue organizing ‘The 80’.
“It has become so complex in recent years that it is almost impossible for a volunteer organization to manage,” chairman Tijs van Beurden told Omroep Brabant in December. “You should never skimp on safety, but with current regulations and expectations it simply becomes unrealistic to carry this completely on a voluntary basis.”
On Thursday, the organization announced that it would completely stop De 80 van de Langstraat, the first edition of which was in 1981. “The 80 of the Langstraat was more than an annual event for us. It was an initiative that got people moving and connected them, supported by volunteers, participants, sponsors and partners. It is precisely because of that involvement that the decision to stop was not taken lightly,” the board reports.
Pressure on organization
“The board has had to conclude that organizing an event of this magnitude is no longer responsible for a volunteer organization under the current circumstances. The administrative responsibility and organizational complexity have increased significantly in recent years,” is one of the reasons for stopping.
“In combination with sharply increased costs, declining availability of volunteers and increasingly stringent safety requirements, this exceeds the foundation’s carrying capacity.”
