Some 45,000 walkers started this year’s Nijmeegse Vierdaagse on Tuesday, the four-day march which is now in its 106th edition.

The first walkers left Nijmegen at 4 am as the sun rose. Walkers will cover either 30, 40 or 50 kilometres a day, depending on their age and experience.

In total, people with 86 different nationalities are taking part and five of the marchers are over the age of 91.

Key facts about the four day marches

The Red Cross has warned that walkers should take dry clothes and a rain coat with them because of the threat of heavy rain later in the day. Some 400 first aiders are stationed along the route to help walkers who get into trouble.