Europe's march traditions
Long before rucking had a name, European armies tested soldiers by marching them. Three traditions are still alive — and two of them are open to civilians.
Nijmegen grew from a soldiers' march into a mass event
On 1 September 1909 the first four-day march started in the Netherlands. The idea came from a military man who wanted to build up soldiers' stamina. 296 soldiers and 10 civilians set out from 10 barracks on 15 routes towards Breda. From 1925 the event started in Nijmegen, and today the 4Days Marches is one of the largest walking events in the world.
Norway has weighed its marchers' packs since 1915
The Norwegian Foot March was first held in 1915 as a test of marching endurance for Norwegian soldiers. Today it is meant to encourage military and civilian walkers alike: 30 km with a rucksack of at least 11 kg, weighed at both the start and the finish, within a time limit that depends on age and sex.
The Bundeswehr badge keeps the pack and stretches the distance
The German Leistungsabzeichen is "not a medal, but sought after", as the Bundeswehr puts it. Its march is the same for all three levels: 15 kg of pack, 6 km in at most 60 minutes for bronze, 9 km in 90 minutes for silver and 12 km in 120 minutes for gold.
| Level | Distance | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 6 km | 60 min |
| Silver | 9 km | 90 min |
| Gold | 12 km | 120 min |
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Sources
- 4Daagse Nijmegen. History of the 4Days Marches. (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Norwegian Armed Forces. The Norwegian Foot March (updated 11 Jan 2023). (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Bundeswehr. Kein Orden, dennoch begehrt — das Leistungsabzeichen der Bundeswehr (13 Aug 2026). (accessed 2026-10-20)