Page 300 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

298  NOR THERN AND EASTERN NE THERLANDS

The Elfstedentocht The “Elfstedenkruisje”
(Elfsteden cross) is in
The Elfstedentocht, or 11-town race, is a 200-km the shape of a
(124-mile) ice-skating marathon which passes Maltese cross. In
through Leeuwarden, Skeen, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, the middle is an
enamel coat of
Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, arms of Friesland
Franeker, Dokkum and back to Leeuwarden. and the
Participants are awarded the famous inscription “De
Friesche Elf Steden”
Elfstedenkruisje only when they have collected all –“The 11 Frisian towns”.
the stamps on their starter’s card and provided they
get back to Leeuwarden before midnight. The
winner of the race is guaranteed local fame. 0 kilometres 10
0 miles 10
The Tocht Der Tochten
The Tocht der Tochten (literally, “Race of Races”), as the
Elfstedentocht is known, is a combination of race and
touring marathon and has acquired almost mythical
status in the Netherlands. The race is a real media
event, keeping millions glued to their television
screens. Although the marathon has been held only
15 times since 1900, the entire country falls under the
spell of the event as soon as the mercury falls even
slightly below zero. If there is a lasting frost, the area
supervisors measure daily the thickness of the ice, as Harns Frjentsjer
it has to be at least 15 cm (6 in) thick for the race to (Harlingen) (Franeker)
be held. When the magic words It sil heve (It shall
happen) are uttered by the supervisors, Friesland
is transformed, overflowing with excited crowds.
Trains are packed, the roads are jammed with cars
and entire villages are mobilized to provide hot tea Harlingervaart
and oranges for the skaters. Wandering musicians
whip the crowd into a frenzy of enthusiasm. The Boalsert
Dutch language has been enriched with the Frisian (Bolsward)
word klúnen, which means to walk overland on skates
past places where the ice is impassable.
Snits
Workumer Trekvaart Drylts
(Sneek)

Warkum (Ijlst)
(Workum)
Hylpen
(Hindeloopen)
Franeker in a festive mood

Starum Sleat
(Stavoren) (Sloten)

Dropping out is a common occurrence during
the race. Despite being affected by snow
blindness and symptoms of frostbite, many
participants in the race attempt to complete the
course. Some break down in tears when they
realize that they will be unable to collect the
much-coveted Elfstedenkruisje (Elfsteden cross).

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Feature template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.3)
Date 18th October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm