120th NFM

EVENT HISTORY

The Norwegian Foot March was first held in 1915 as a test of marching endurance for soldiers in the Norwegian Army. The original intent of the march was to ensure the Army could quickly move large numbers of soldiers with their essential gear and
weapons over long distances and remain combat-ready at their objective. Today, the
march is still practiced by the Norwegian military, but also used to promote long distance hiking and physical fitness among Norway’s allies and many civilian
populations.

ESSENTIAL MARCH REQUIREMENTS

The march requires participants to complete a 30-kilometer / 18.64-mile course while carrying a rucksack with a dry weight of at least 11 kilograms / 24.25 pounds within a prescribed time according to gender and age. While the modern event no longer requires participants to carry a rifle as part of the weight requirement, organizers may opt to factor weapon weight into their calculations and subtract it from the rucksack weight. Rucksack weight should be verified before the start of the event and after crossing the finish line.

Participants no longer must fulfill the requirement to complete the march before
daybreak or complete a full duty day afterward. However, organizers who wish to
incorporate these traditional features into their event may do so.

ATTIRE REQUIREMENTS

Military participants must wear their service’s combat uniform and boots for the entire duration of the march. Modifications to uniform standards are allowed so long as they adhere to a service’s applicable regulations (e.g. wear of a combat shirt or Merrell boots) and at the organizer's and local commanders' discretion. Headgear is not required for the march.

The rucksacks used must be issued or meet the equipment standards of the
organizer’s military regulations. Civilian participants must wear clothing similar to a
military combat uniform (including long pants and boots) with a total weight equal to
1.5 kilograms / 3.3 pounds. Civilians are not required to use a military-issued rucksack and may use a civilian hiking backpack. Using weighted vests, body armor, or weightplate carriers toward the weight requirement is not authorized. Individual participants may wear these items in addition to the rucksack weight requirement, but it is not encouraged