Surprising walking experience for 6,700 participants at the 3rd edition of the Zandvoort Light Walk

Young and old enjoyed a sea of light artworks in Zandvoort on Saturday evening

Yesterday evening, Zandvoort was dominated by the 3rd edition of the Zandvoort Light Walk. This walking experience made a record number of 6,700 participants shine. Young and old(er) enjoyed light artworks and surprising acts along the routes of 6, 10, 14 and 18 km. For KNRM Zandvoort, the charity of the event again this year, the beautiful amount of €3,036 was raised.

With over 300 participants under the age of 10 and also almost 300 walkers aged 70 and older, the Zandvoort Light Walk once again proved to be a walking experience for everyone this year. The 10 km route was the most popular with 2,250 participants, closely followed by the 6 km Family Walk, which was sold out with 2,000 walkers.

The first starting signal was given by Lars Carree, alderman for sport of the municipality of Zandvoort. Just before the second starting group set off, volunteer Willem Blijleven was honored by sports organization Le Champion as Volunteer of the Year 2023. With this beautiful honorary title in his pocket, Willem enthusiastically let the second group of Family Walk participants start.

Enchanting routes
From the Kleine Krocht in the heart of Zandvoort, the 6,700 walkers departed in different groups for their journey along one of the routes of 6, 10, 14 or 18 km. The walking weather gods were kind to the participants and volunteers involved, except for a rain shower halfway through the evening. The walkers enjoyed the cozy center of the seaside resort and the dunes, the beach and the sea. On the world-famous Circuit Zandvoort, the walkers were surprised with special light and sound effects that made the walk over the holy asphalt even more special.

Plenty of experience along the way
With light art, acts and street theater in dozens of places in the village, there was much for the walkers to marvel at. In many locations, the theme 'Natuurlijk Zandvoort' (Naturally Zandvoort), which encompasses everything that makes Zandvoort so special, came forward radiantly. For example, projections highlighted the water tower and the St. Agatha Church, and among other things, the butterflies with cocoons and mushrooms reminded the participants of the varied flora and fauna that the seaside resort possesses.

In addition to the sea of light art installations that turned Zandvoort into an open-air museum yesterday evening, the walkers and residents of Zandvoort also contributed to the fantastic atmosphere. Many walkers wore the cap with the light they received before the start, and many enthusiastic participants responded to the request to come to the Zandvoort Light Walk decorated with lights. The residents of Zandvoort also ensured that there was even more coziness along the routes with lights and music from houses and gardens.

Together, the walkers formed a festive ribbon of lights that wound through Zandvoort from the late afternoon until midnight. Along the way, the walkers passed cozy care stations on the Zandvoortselaan, at NIUS Beach House, Beach Pavilion Thalassa and at Circuit Zandvoort. For the 14 and 18 km walkers, an extra surprise station was set up at Tijn Akersloot on the beach. All walkers were also surprised with an extra station 2 km before the finish. At the stations, enthusiastic volunteers were ready with a stamp and a treat, so that everyone could continue walking full of new energy.

€ 3,036 for KNRM Zandvoort
Participants in the Zandvoort Light Walk could make a voluntary donation to KNRM Zandvoort during their registration. The local rescue station was also connected to the event as a charity for this edition.

Before the evening really started and the first 500 Family Walk participants were allowed to set off, the cheque presentation took place. On behalf of the walkers, Ruud van der Velde, chairman of Le Champion, handed over a cheque with the beautiful amount of €3,036 to Gillis Kok of KNRM Zandvoort.

Jan Willem van den Bout, skipper of KNRM Zandvoort, responded very happily to the cheque: "We are extremely pleased with this beautiful donation and thank all walkers who transferred an amount for us when registering for the Zandvoort Light Walk. This year we celebrate 200 years of rescuers at sea and we celebrate this throughout the year with all kinds of events, including a major exhibition in the Zandvoorts Museum starting from September. With the donation from the walkers, we as volunteers can continue to safely perform our core tasks of search and rescue at sea."

Walk towards spring
The 4th edition of the Zandvoort Light Walk is scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2025. Would you like to enjoy fun walking events in the region even earlier? Discover Zandvoort by daylight on Saturday, March 23 during the 30 van Zandvoort, or walk the city walking tour through Haarlem on Saturday, May 18 during the KiKa Haarlem City Walk. View the complete walking agenda of Le Champion at www.lechampion.nl/wandelen.