
Exclusive ‘Norwegian Foot March’ Coming to the Hudson Valley
In just a few days, Hudson Valley residents will be urged to keep an eye out for West Point cadets as they attempt one of the most grueling tests at the academy. Have you heard of the Norwegian Foot March?
The United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, is one of the prides of the Hudson Valley. For more than 200 years, cadets have passed through the historic halls, and for nearly half that time, many have competed in one particular feats of endurance.
Famous Norwegian Foot March Coming to the Hudson Valley
"Attention West Point community and drivers!" began a recent post by the West Point Garrison and Community Facebook page (below). The warning was about the overnight endurance test known as the Norwegian Foot March. But what's with the name? And what's so special about an 18-mile march?
Why Is It Called the Norwegian Foot March?
The history behind the Norwegian Foot March's is pretty straightforward: invented by the Norwegian military during World War I to test their soldiers' endurance, the tradition is now carried on at West Point. So what does it take to pass this exclusive test?
Rules of the Famed Norwegian Foot March
The rules of the foot march are demanding but simple: complete a prescribed 18.6-mile march while carrying a rucksack weighing 25 pounds. To officially complete the test, and receive a corresponding badge, cadets are required to complete the course in under four-and-a-half hours for men and four hours fifty minutes for women.
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While the foot march isn't exclusive to West Point (soldiers at forts across the country have competed as well, above), there must be an extra sense of pride to complete the challenge at the nation's first military academy.

The Norwegian Foot March will begin at 6pm on Friday, January 31st and will run through the night, with an estimated completion time for the last wave of cadets at roughly 2am.
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