PORTLAND, Maine - In the early morning hours of Nov. 1, along Portland’s Back Cove Trail, 162 participants laced up their boots to take part in the Norwegian Foot March - a grueling endurance event hosted by the Maine National Guard in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy and the city of Portland.
The weather was brisk and windy as Soldiers and ROTC cadets from across the state set out to complete the 18.6-mile march, each carrying a rucksack weighing at least 24 pounds. Of the 162 who started, 135 crossed the finish line, and 110 successfully met their respective time standards to earn the coveted Norwegian Foot March Badge - an internationally recognized mark of military endurance and perseverance.
Long before sunrise, participants gathered at the trailhead for the 5:30 a.m. check-in. Soldiers and Airmen of the Maine National Guard - along with cadets from both the University of Maine and the University of Southern Maine - arrived in uniform, headlamps cutting through the darkness as they tightened rucksack straps, adjusted reflective belts and prepared their gear. Despite the chill in the air and gusting wind off Casco Bay, morale was high as service members and cadets traded encouragement and last-minute tips before stepping off in their respective waves.
The Norwegian Foot March, or Marsjmerket, originated in 1915 as a test of marching ability for Norwegian soldiers and has since become a respected international badge event. To qualify, participants must complete the 18.6-mile (30-kilometer) course while carrying a 24-pound rucksack within a strict time limit based on age and gender. For example, men ages 18–34 must finish in under 4 hours and 30 minutes, while women in the same age group have 5 hours to complete the course. Older age brackets are afforded slightly more time, but the challenge remains significant — emphasizing endurance, pace, and resilience.
The event was primarily organized by Maj. Donnie Gray, the Joint Force Headquarters company commander, and Capt. Jack Tebbetts, a legal advisor for the Maine National Guard. Both worked closely with the city of Portland and support staff to ensure a safe and successful march.
“The level of motivation we saw out there was incredible,” Gray said. “Being able to get out there and compete for a foreign award makes this ruck a little more competitive and high-energy than a typical road march. You certainly can’t beat the setting, right here in Portland along the Casco Bay.”
“We’re very proud of the turnout,” Tebbetts said. “Having 162 people voluntarily put themselves through 18.6 miles of physical and mental stress – over the course of several hours – says a lot about the type of people we have here today. We’re grateful to all of those who showed up ready to ruck, and we certainly can’t thank the city of Portland enough for allowing us to host this event here in the city.”
The results of the march have been submitted to the Royal Norwegian Embassy for official verification and badge issuance. Gray says that Joint Force Headquarters plans to hold a recognition ceremony in the coming weeks, during which the Maine National Guard will honor the organizers, participants and all who earned the Norwegian Foot March Badge.