Board
Michael Kors
Secretary
My name is Michael Kors, since April 2023 I am a member of the board and I live in the beautiful city of Zutphen which is a so called “Hanze city” (Hanze cities were cities which had at band of trade with each other). About 20 years ago I ran into the phenomena of walkingsports, this was because my wife and I were challenged to walk the Nijmegen 4-days marches. Our enthusiasm keeps on growing still; next to distance marches we also walk on hights in the Alps. Next to the number of industrial companies I’ve run for 30 years I also fill in on various (non payed) board functions amongst which on a Rotary (an international service organization) in which I may perform the function of Governor 2024/25 for Eastern Netherlands. And now I also am a member of the board of the “Golden cross bearers”; an organization that represents walkers that, just like my wife and I, are passioned walkers. I am very motivated to commit myself for this beautiful organization.
Frans Leijtens
Chairman
My name is Frans Leijtens and I have been a board member since 2003. I started walking the Four Days Marches when I was 12, obtained my Gold Medal in 1998 and have only skipped the 2002 edition. I have been walking since I was six years old. I prefer race walking events over long distances (from 50 miles to 24 hours) or night walks, but also don't mind walking multiple day walks in the Netherlands and abroad. I am an officer in the Royal Netherlands Air Force and I try to get my Air Force colleagues to take up walking. Next to my role of secretary for the association, I update our website on a regular basis.
Dauphine Noordanus
Treasurer
My name is Dauphine Noordanus. I discovered the Nijmegen Four Days Marches later in life, when I started working at Albron Catering. What started with a bet between colleagues has turned into a regular Nijmegen Four Days Marches runner, with the absolute highlight being the lap of honor 50 km at night (during 4 times 55) of the 100th Nijmegen Four Days Marches! I have now run 12 times. And of course I became a member of the Golden Cross Bearers for the 10th time. At the first AGM I already joined as a reserve member of the Financial Committee. I am currently a financial manager in the newest and most beautiful hospital in the Netherlands!
Lisette Melisse
Member administrator
My name is Lisette Melisse. When I was a little younger I used to watch the 4Days Marches on TV. I always wanted to take part and live this walking tour. Well it didn't stay with the one time and as long as I can I will join the walking tour because I love the event. I also try to walk a couple of Kennedy-marches each year and even longer walking tours.
Rino Hamelink
Board member
My name is Rino Hamelink. Since I was borne in Nijmegen, I have been walking the Nijmegen Marches since I was twelve. This year, I hope to complete my 35th Nijmegen Marches. I do not just walk Nijmegen, but also many other events. These include the local evening four days marches with my 5 year old daughter, but alos walks up to 160 km. And I litterally walk from here to Tokyo, since I take part in many IML-events. Although I am a new committee member, I have been a volunteer within the walking community for many years now, as an events advisor and as a committee member for the region Brabant-Zeeland. In my daily life I used to be a supervisor for many restaurants, but at the moment I am looking for a new challenge.
Schedule of elections and resignations
If our board members are willing to stay on and if they are re-elected every three years, this will be the schedule of elections and resignations.
2026
Lisette Melisse
Frans Leijtens DB
Rino Hamelink
Michael Kors DB
2027
Dauphine Noordanus DB
2028
Fred Kuijer
Jaimy Pieterson
Fred Kruijer
Board member
My name is Fred Kruijer and I am 68 years old. I was appointed board member by the General Assembly in 2025. I have completed the 4Days Marches 38 times, including 30 times the 50 km distance. I have been a member of the association from the day that kind lady pinned the first golden cross on my chest. My first participation in the 4Days Marches was in 1982. I don’t often participate in other walking events. I am a retired police officer. I worked on the streets of Amsterdam for twenty years. After that I was editor of two professional journals, eventually ending up at the Police Academy as a knowledge broker. I enjoy having a role within the association’s board, and communication will probably become one of my responsibilities.
Jaimy Pieterson
Board member
My name is Jaimy Pieterson and I am a board member of the association since April 2022. In 2009 I already finished the 4Days Marches, while I was still too young to register (I really couldn't wait). The following year I was 11 and I obtained my first Four Days Marches cross. In 2019 I walked for the tenth time and I was allowed to call myself bearer of the Golden Cross. I work as a social worker at Dutch Defense and hope to be able to walk the Four Days Marches as a soldier in the near future.