Last year (June 2024), I hiked the Slachte Marathon in Friesland. I don't like walking or hiking in the rain, but I had already registered for the marathon and traveled all the way to Leeuwarden in Friesland. There was no turning back! A short bus transfer took me to the starting point of this unique hiking marathon.
At the start, I had to wait a bit. There were a few tents to stay dry. By the time it was my turn to start, I already looked like a 'verzopen kat' (drowned cat). The surroundings were beautiful, with meadows and countryside. A nice change from the Randstad. Normally, I like to look around and take pictures. This time, I sometimes couldn't see what or who was ahead of me.
The short answer is no! These days, most events are canceled due to the kind of weather I experienced during the 2024 Slachte Walking Marathon. Having said this, I was never in danger during this hiking marathon and enjoyed the 42 km walk through the small Frisian villages. The organizers did everything they could to make the most of the 2024 weather conditions. It is one of the largest events in Friesland. It was the first edition after the COVID-19 restrictions. It has been held on even-numbered years since 2000.