Photo By Staff Sgt. Hannah Clifton | Soldiers jog up to the halfway point during the Norwegian Road March in Evansville,...... read more read more
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - In the crisp, early morning November air, over 600 participants of the Norwegian Road March eagerly gathered on the University of Southern Indiana campus waiting to begin their trek through the Evansville area Nov. 7.
After weighing their rucksacks and receiving a safety brief, the marchers assembled at the start point. By the fire of the canon at 7:30 am, the first heat stepped off to begin their haul.
The Norwegian Road March is an 18.6-mile test of endurance where participants must carry twenty-four pounds and males thirty-four years and younger must finish in at least 4.5 hours. The time limit increases for females and males thirty-five years and older.
Participants who finish in the allotted time are awarded the Norwegian Road March badge.
The first Norwegian Road March took place fourteen years ago on the USI campus when Dr. Nils I. Johansen, a retired professor from USI and retired field artillery 2nd Lt. of the Norwegian Army, chose to sponsor the event. When the event first began, only twenty-five people participated. The numbers have grown to over 600 people, military personnel and civilians alike, representing thirty-five different states including the Indiana National Guard.
“I would like the see the participants have a good time and challenge themselves and enjoy an athletic competition,” said Johansen. “It’s very personal. It’s a ‘Yes, I did it, and, yes, I have a badge to prove it.’”
Maj. Christopher M. Dalrymple, assistant professor of military science at USI, and the USI Reserved Officer Training Course cadets, organized the event.
“It is a tremendous test of mettle, both the mental game and the physical game,” said Dalrymple. “I want the participants to walk away from a little place called Evansville, Indiana and take it upon their heart to love this area, love this country and love this community.”
Finishing in only three hours and twenty-nine minutes, Pfc. Nicholas A. Wilkins, a soldier with the 461st Human Resources Company of Starkville, Mississippi, was one of the first soldiers to cross the finish line.
“My muscles are incredibly fatigued but I have felt worse before,” said Wilkins. “I came from mile marker to mile marker, from pole to pole to cross the finish line.” Wilkins had to overcome his own tribulations in order to finish strong.
“The last four miles were really bad…especially the last mile,” said Wilkins “Your muscles become incredibly fatigued. You want to quit. You don’t want to do it anymore. You want to fall out, but you just have to stay mentally tough and fight through the pain.”
Earning the Norwegian Road March badge represents the physical and mental challenge that each participant fights to overcome. It proves not only to others but also to themselves that they are capable of pushing the limits of both their bodies and their minds.
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2015 14:49 |
| Story ID: | 181333 |
| Location: | IN, US |
| Hometown: | EVANSVILLE, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 500 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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