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A U.S. Soldier cools off as he nears the end of the Norwegian Foot March on Fort Bragg, N.C., July 17, 2026. Designed to push Soldiers to their limit, the 18.6 mile trek is the ultimate test of grit and endurance. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alixandria Bauer)
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A U.S. Soldier participates in the Norwegian Foot March on Fort Bragg, N.C, July 17, 2026. The Norwegian Foot March originated in the early 20th-century to prepare Norwegian soldiers for the demands of military life, and has since been adopted by the U.S. Army and other NATO allies. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alixandria Bauer)
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From left, U.S. Army Sgt. Oscar Levine, a student at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, confirms his finishing time for the Norwegian Foot March on Fort Bragg, N.C., July 17, 2026. As the first-place finisher, Levine completed the 18.6-mile ruck with a time of 2 hours and 38 minutes, showcasing his stamina, endurance, and grit. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alixandria Bauer)
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U.S. Soldiers stride forward in the Norwegian Foot March on Fort Bragg, N.C., July 17, 2026. Originating in Norway, NATO allies like the U.S. Army have adopted the Foot March as a way to challenge servicemembers and increase mental resilience. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alixandria Bauer)
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A U.S. Soldier grabs water from a fellow service member during the Norwegian Foot March on Fort Bragg, N.C., July 17, 2026. The 18.6 mile ruck is designed to push Soldiers to their mental and physical limits as they march to the finish line. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alixandria Bauer)
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U.S. Soldiers complete the first of five laps in the Norwegian Foot March on Fort Bragg, N.C., July 17, 2026. The 18.6 mile course pushes Soldiers to their mental and physical limits as they ruck to the finish line. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alixandria Bauer)
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U.S. Soldiers offer water to fellow service members partaking in the Norwegian Foot March on Fort Bragg, N.C., July 17, 2026. Soldiers’ preparation for the 18.6 mile ruck included cardiovascular and muscular conditioning, pacing, and healthful nutrition and hydration. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alixandria Bauer)
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- Nearly 400 Soldiers participated in the Norwegian Ruck March on Fort Bragg on July 17, 2026, overcoming an unforgiving 18.6-mile ruck to push themselves past their limits.
Instituted in 1915, the Norwegian Foot March, also known as Marsjmerket, originated as a way to condition Norwegian soldiers for military service. The 18.6-mile course must be completed with a 24-pound ruck in addition to meeting a timed standard determined by age and gender. NATO allies like the U.S. Army have adopted the Norwegian Foot March as a way to bolster mental resilience and challenge servicemembers.
“The heat and the humidity was rough”, said second place finisher Maj. Charles Ware, a Psychological Operations Planner assigned to XVIII Airborne Corps. “I was out front for the first two laps, and I probably went out a little too hard. I was not feeling great even after two laps and I thought to hop in my car right there and just call it a day, but I kept going. It wasn’t the result I was hoping for, but still not bad and I’m glad to have it done.”
The challenge of the ruck march is not only laden in the physical aspects of the event but also the mental barriers that must be overcome to complete the course. Designed to push participants to their limit, the Norwegian Foot March is an ultimate test of resilience and grit for the nation’s warfighters.
“I’ve been rehabbing since getting back from Ranger School,” said a Staff Sergeant assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group. “This is my first timed ruck march coming back.”
Effective preparation is crucial for success, including cardiovascular and muscular conditioning, pacing, and healthful nutrition and hydration.
“I prepare for things like this by running,” said Ware. “I’ll do a ruck workout once a week, usually 10 miles or so.”
The Norwegian Foot March fosters camaraderie with NATO allies across the world, providing Soldiers the opportunity to earn a foreign badge as evidence of their accomplishment. Earners of the badge can obtain a bronze, silver, and gold badge depending on the amount of times they have completed the ruck march.
The Norwegian Foot March pushes Soldiers mentally and physically, ensuring their preparedness for any challenge they must overcome as America’s warfighters.
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