TOGETHER WE'LL BE BACK!

Thursday 12 March 2020,

On this day, already 210 days ago, the Strong Viking team was about to travel to Balen, Belgium for the Strong Viking Trail Run and the start of a year with no less than 25 Editions and over 100,000 participants. The words; "Events and meetings with more than 100 people are canceled". Sounded harsh and unbelievable at the time. Later on, it made way for understanding, since for us as well, the proportion of this global crisis had become clear. As much as we would like our Vikings to reach Walhalla, health is above all else. Always.

210 days ago, it was all hands-on deck on the Viking ship. The heartwarming reactions, understanding and support of our loyal Vikings kept us floating and motivated us to continue sailing and to keep innovating. The ideas for a Corona-proof Strong Viking Edition were written down and we came up with a new concept: The Strong Viking Virtual Edition!

Now, 210 days later. More than 16,500(!) Vikings have participated at the Virtual Editions and registrations for the new edition from 15 to 18 October are once again overwhelming. In addition, we talked to municipalities and agencies to organize a safe event. The Corona protocol was worked out in detail by our event managers and presented. The municipality was very pleased about the development and gave their green light to the launch of a Corona-proof Strong Viking Brother Edition in Spaarnwoude. "We are BACK! At least that is what we thought...

Just three weeks before the Strong Viking Brother Edition, the safety region of Kennemerland (Spaarnwoude) decided that the permit for the Strong Viking Brother Edition would no longer be granted. An enormous disappointment for our participants and a huge impact for us as an organization. Both sportive and financial.

Last year we had to cancel 95% of all our editions and the season has come to an end, with the exception of the Virtual Editions, which of course can continue. We don't like to look back. It was a rough year. We have to move forward, giving up is not an option. Only together we can face this rough sea and only together we will conquer this storm.

“ In the past 1000 years. We Vikings faced many challenges and battles. We sailed through the greatest seas to discover new lands. We fought many great battles together, side by side.

Over the past year. We have been on rough sea. A storm of global proportions came upon us. In which we have done everything in our power to get back the wind in our sails.

For this moment, everything looks rough and grey. It feels like there is no sun shining behind these deep dark clouds. We feel disappointed, defeated and stranded on uncharted shores.

But, even behind the most heavy storms and roughest seas, the sun will always shine. Even when we lose a battle: We will never surrender.

Together we’ll set sail and discover new lands again. Conquer our fears, as brothers and sisters. We leave no Viking behind and we will drink our beer in Walhalla like we have never done before.

This is who we are.

We are Vikings and We'II. Be. BACK!”