Distinctions
Honorary members
Honorary members are appointed by the board upon decision of the General Assembly. They are nominated because of having been of special significance to the association.
Below you find the list containing the current honorary members:
- Mr. G.G. Witsen Elias, secretary from 1963 to 1997
- Mr. J. van Winkelen, treasurer from 1986 to 2004
- Mr. H. Kroes, Ice-condition expert from 1970 onwards and Chairman from 1994-2007
- Mr. Lolkama, author and expert on the history of the Elfstedentocht
The late Mr. G.W. van den Ham, Lead official between 1970 and 1998, was also an honorary member.
J.D de Jong badge
In 1970 the Board introduced the J.D. de Jong badge in commemoration of the member of the board Mr J.D. de Jong who had passed away the previous year. The badge can be awarded to anyone who has made an especially valuable contribution to the organization of the Elfstedentocht.
During the General assembly of December 17, 2004, chairman henk kroes presented two J.D. de Jong badges, one to Mr Jaap de Jong and the other to Mr Arie Smit. Both gentlemen had dedicated themselves tirelessly to the association. Mr Jaap de Jong was the accountant of the association from 1986 to 2004. Mr Arie Smit has been an employee at the Membership administration since 1986.
Prior to that, the last time the J.D. de Jong badge was awarded was on December 18, 1997. It was presented to Ms Aaf Huisman. Between 1971 and 1997, she made sure that everyone at First Aid was on stand-by. The badge was awarded to her to honour her for her tireless efforts during the three latest Elfstedentochten. The honour bestowed onto her of course also reflects on all other First Aid workers and members of the Red Cross involved in the organization. At an earlier stage the late Ms Annie de Jong-Zondervan, the late Mr Jeen van den Berg, the late Ms Hilda Murk-de Jong and the late Mr Sijtse Sikkens had been awarded a J.D. de Jong badge.
Certificates
At the initiative of the Royal association De Friesche Elfsteden, the Frisian Elfsteden bicycle tour foundation and the Elfsteden walk foundation, a certificate is presented to those who have completed the Elfstedentocht on ice-skates, by bike and on foot in accordance with the rules. There is no need for having completed the individual tours in the same year.
The certificate was awarded for the first time in 1987 and since then this has happened each year at a festive ceremony. The thousandth certificate was awarded in 2005.
If you feel you are entitled to receiving the Elfsteden certificate, you can apply for a registration form immediately upon having completed the three afore-mentioned Elfsteden tours. You can apply at www.elfstedenwandeltocht.nl or via www.11steden.nl.