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The Batavierenrace
What is the Batavierenrace?
The largest student relay race in the world. Teams run over 175 km from Nijmegen to Enschede in 25 stages. Every year around 8,500 students take part, which earned the race a place in the Guinness Book of Records. More on About the Batavierenrace.
When is the next Batavierenrace?
The 55th Batavierenrace takes place on 23 and 24 April 2027. The start is on Friday evening in Nijmegen, the finish on Saturday at around 18:00 on the University of Twente campus.
What does the route look like?
The route runs from Nijmegen through Germany and the Achterhoek to Enschede, in three blocks: at night from Nijmegen to Ulft, in the morning from Ulft to Barchem and in the afternoon to Enschede. At the G.J. van Heekpark in Enschede the last runners start together for the final stage to the campus. The map is on The route.
What is a restart?
In Ulft, Barchem and in the G.J. van Heekpark in Enschede all teams start again. This keeps the field together and lets new runners take over their team's van.
How did the Batavierenrace start?
In 1972, students from Nijmegen came back full of enthusiasm from a relay race in Sweden. In 1973, around 600 students ran the first Batavierenrace, from Nijmegen to Rotterdam. Since 1974 the route has led to the University of Twente in Enschede.
Who organises the Batavierenrace?
Every year a new student Organisation Committee, with offices in Nijmegen and Enschede. Permanent committees and around 750 crew members help out. The Batavieren Festival is organised by the University of Twente's Events Office.
Taking part with a team
Who can take part?
Students at a university of applied sciences or a university who are enrolled in the current academic year or were enrolled in the previous one. PhD students can take part in the General Competition, but not in the University Competition.
How many runners does a team need?
A team runs 25 stages: 16 men's and 9 women's stages. The easiest is to have 25 runners and a team captain, who may also run. Someone may run more than one stage, but that results in a time penalty.
Can a man run a women's stage?
Yes, but then the team gets a time penalty: the running time of that stage is multiplied by 1.4.
We don't have 25 runners. Can we still take part?
Yes. Using the form on Shared team we match you with another team. Fill in how many of you there are, where you are from and how fast you run. If there is a suitable team, we will call you.
Which competitions are there?
- General Competition: for all student teams.
- University Competition: the Dutch Student Championship, with one team of the best runners per university.
- Business Competition: for company teams.
How do I register a team?
The team captain creates an account (Log in, top right) and registers the team via the dashboard. The runners don't need to be known yet; you add them later. More on Enrolling.
When does registration open?
Registration runs from 9 November 2026 to 31 January 2027, or until all places are taken. More on Enrolling.
What happens if there are more teams than places?
Then there is a draw. Teams that register on the first day are guaranteed a place in the draw. Later registrations go onto the reserve list in order of registration. The selection and reserve list is published in January.
How much does it cost to take part?
The registration fee is €500 per team, plus a €100 deposit. You pay in two instalments: €200 by 6 December 2026 at the latest and €400 (including the deposit) by 7 February 2027 at the latest. More on Enrolling.
Which proof of enrolment is valid?
One of these documents:
- a student card showing the year;
- an official proof of enrolment from your educational institution;
- proof of graduation with an official stamp;
- proof of deregistration showing the years and your study programme.
Proof from Studielink is not accepted.
How many proofs of enrolment does the team captain have to upload?
In the General Competition at least 3, by December at the latest. In the University Competition at least 20, by April at the latest. The team captain uploads them to their account.
Do we get priority if we took part last year?
No. Every team registers again each year.
How many teams can an association register?
As many as you like. Each team does need its own team captain account and pays its own registration fee.
I am the new team captain. How do I take over the account?
You can't change this yourself. Email secretaris@batavierenrace.nl with the team's email address and the name, phone number and date of birth of both the old and the new team captain.
Where can I find our start number and start group?
On the start list, which is published before the race. Remember them well: starting in the wrong start group has consequences for your team.
During the race
How do the runners get to their stage?
Every team arranges its own transport along the route, usually a 9-seater van. Batavierenrace coaches run between Nijmegen, Ulft, Barchem and Enschede; for these you need a bus voucher.
Can we rent a van through the Batavierenrace?
This was possible in previous editions. We will let you know later whether it is possible again this year. You can ask questions about this to the office in Nijmegen.
What are vouchers?
Vouchers let you use the facilities during the race: bus vouchers for the coaches and sleeping vouchers for the sports hall in Enschede. The team captain orders them via the team captain dashboard and receives them with a QR code. You can print them or have them scanned from your phone.
When do we need to order vouchers?
Cheapest in the presale, from (to be announced) up to and including (to be announced). In the late sale after that, vouchers are 15% more expensive, and after (to be announced) you can't order any more. Prices and dates are on Vouchers.
Do we need to bring our own food and drinks?
Yes, bring enough for the whole race, and extra water in warm weather. The Spar on the campus in Enschede is open during the race weekend.
Can we order food on Saturday evening?
Yes. On Saturday evening you collect pre-ordered pizzas from the Domino's pick-up point on campus. You can order until the Friday before the race via Food and drinks.
What time do the last runners finish?
From around 14:55 the first runners arrive at the last restart in the G.J. van Heekpark in Enschede. At around 17:50 all last runners start there together for the final stage to the finish on campus. All times are in the schedule.
Where can I find the results?
On Results: the winners of the latest edition and the results of all editions.
Where can I find photos of the race?
On fotos.batavierenrace.nl. You can request photos of older editions via pr.media@batavierenrace.nl.
Sleeping
Where can we sleep in Enschede?
At the Carillon campsite on the University of Twente campus, or indoors in the sports hall of the sports centre. Camping is free (you only need a voucher of €0.01); for the sports hall you buy sleeping vouchers.
When is the campsite open?
From Friday 23 April 15:00 to Sunday 25 April 11:00. You may not put up a tent earlier.
What is not allowed at the campsite?
No vehicles on the grounds, no open fire or barbecue, no glass (including beer bottles or jars), no smoking, and no party tents, tipi tents, generators or large appliances. Tents are no larger than 10 m² and stand 3 metres apart. All rules are on Sleeping arrangements.
What should I bring to sleep?
For the campsite your own tent, sleeping bag and mat; for the sports hall a sleeping bag and a mat or air mattress. Also bring a power bank, as there is no charging point. You can store valuables in a locker in the sports centre.
What if the campsite is full?
Full is full. You can then still buy sleeping wristbands for the sports hall at the info desk.
The Batavieren Festival
When and where is the Batavieren Festival?
On Saturday 24 April from 20:00 to 02:00 on the University of Twente campus. Afterwards you can carry on in the Vestingbar. More on Batavieren Festival.
Who can go to the festival?
Everyone: the festival is open to all. To get in you need a token, which you get at the entrance. This is possible from 19:00; arrive on time to avoid a long queue.
How do I pay at the festival?
With tokens of €2.75 each. You can't pay in cash, and you may not bring your own drinks.
How do the cups work?
When you come in you get an ecocoin. You exchange it at the bar for a cup; with a consumption token you get the drink in it. For a new drink you hand in your empty cup and a token. If you have lost your cup and ecocoin, you pay a token for a new cup.
Who is performing?
We announce the line-up on Artists and line-up.
Helping out as a crew member
How do I become a crew member?
Sign up via Crew member. Around 750 crew members help out during the race, and there is always room for more.
What do I get as a crew member?
A dinner on Saturday evening, a thank-you drinks party and the limited-edition crew jumper. If you want to sleep in Enschede, you can do so at the campsite with your own tent and gear.
How do I view or change my details?
Log in (top right) and go to your account's dashboard. There, crew members and motorcyclists can view and change their details.
How do I become a motorcyclist?
Sign up via your account's dashboard. Every year we are looking for around 180 motorcyclists, for the night (Friday 21:30 to Saturday 09:00) or the day (Saturday 08:00 to around 18:00). You get a place to sleep in Enschede and are welcome at the festival. More on Motorcyclists.
Can I also help out all year round?
Yes, in one of the permanent committees, such as the Race Officials, BataMedia or the Information Committee. Email interesse@batavierenrace.nl or drop by one of the offices.
Can I organise the Batavierenrace myself?
Yes, every year we are looking for a new Organisation Committee. Read what a board year at the Bata involves. Questions about an OC year are answered in the FAQ about an OC year.
Companies and sponsors
Can our company take part?
Yes, in the Business Competition. A full team has 25 runners; with 8 people you can also run just the afternoon programme. The bus rides are free and there is a company dinner after the race. More on Business team.
How do I become a sponsor?
Email sponsoring@batavierenrace.nl. You can also request the sponsorship brochure there.
Contact
Which office should I contact?
The office in Nijmegen for participation, registrations, the route and vans. The office in Enschede for sponsoring, the restarts, the campsite, the vouchers, the festival, finances and general questions. Addresses and phone numbers are on Contact.
I live along the route. Who can I contact?
You can contact us with questions via Contact. After the race we would love to hear how you experienced the Batavierenrace, via the residents' survey.
How do I stay up to date?
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. The links are on Contact.
