Five men pose for a group photo. The three in the front wearing gold, silver, and bronze medals

Norwegian Foot March 2026

Norwegian Maj. Arild Stangenes, Air Force Security Assistance Center foreign liaison officer, and Lt. Col. Frank Knutsen, F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office foreign liaison officer, pose with the men’s first, second, and third place finishers of the Norwegian Foot March at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 4, 2026. Originating in Norway as a military endurance test, the ruck march consists of an 18.6-mile march while carrying a ≥25 lb. pack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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A man, wearing brown t-shirt, military camouflage pants, black sunglasses and backpack, raises is arms in victory. Two vertical blue banners, reading FINISH, are on either side

Norwegian Foot March 2026

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Thaddaeus Vaichus, 88th Healthcare Operations Squadron, finishes men’s first place during the Norwegian Foot March at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 4, 2026. Originating in Norway as a military endurance test, the ruck march consists of an 18.6-mile march while carrying a ≥25 lb. pack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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Three women and two men pose for a group photo. The three women, wearing military camouflage uniforms, have gold, silver and bronze medals around their necks

Norwegian Foot March 2026

Norwegian Maj. Arild Stangenes, Air Force Security Assistance Center foreign liaison officer, and Lt. Col. Frank Knutsen, F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office foreign liaison officer, pose with the women’s first, second, and third place finishers of the Norwegian Foot March at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 4, 2026. Originating in Norway as a military endurance test, the ruck march consists of an 18.6-mile march while carrying a ≥25 lb. pack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • Five men pose for a group photo. The three in the front wearing gold, silver, and bronze medals

    Norwegian Foot March 2026

    Norwegian Maj. Arild Stangenes, Air Force Security Assistance Center foreign liaison officer, and Lt. Col. Frank Knutsen, F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office foreign liaison officer, pose with the men’s first, second, and third place finishers of the Norwegian Foot March at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 4, 2026. Originating in Norway as a military endurance test, the ruck march consists of an 18.6-mile march while carrying a ≥25 lb. pack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • A man, wearing brown t-shirt, military camouflage pants, black sunglasses and backpack, raises is arms in victory. Two vertical blue banners, reading FINISH, are on either side

    Norwegian Foot March 2026

    U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Thaddaeus Vaichus, 88th Healthcare Operations Squadron, finishes men’s first place during the Norwegian Foot March at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 4, 2026. Originating in Norway as a military endurance test, the ruck march consists of an 18.6-mile march while carrying a ≥25 lb. pack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • Three women and two men pose for a group photo. The three women, wearing military camouflage uniforms, have gold, silver and bronze medals around their necks

    Norwegian Foot March 2026

    Norwegian Maj. Arild Stangenes, Air Force Security Assistance Center foreign liaison officer, and Lt. Col. Frank Knutsen, F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office foreign liaison officer, pose with the women’s first, second, and third place finishers of the Norwegian Foot March at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 4, 2026. Originating in Norway as a military endurance test, the ruck march consists of an 18.6-mile march while carrying a ≥25 lb. pack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Rucking through Wright-Patt: The 2026 Norwegian Foot March

  • Published
  • By Alyssa Janeway
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  

 Approximately 335 military members, veterans, and dependents were challenged both physically and mentally in the 2026 Norwegian Foot March on April 4.

A young man, wearing military camouflage uniform and backpack, gives a peace sign while smiling at the camera and running down a paved road alongside a silver chain link fence

U.S. Space Force 2nd Lt. David Noh, Air Force Institute of Technology student, passes the halfway point during the Norwegian Foot March at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 4, 2026. Originating in Norway as a military endurance test, the ruck march consists of an 18.6-mile march while carrying a ≥25 lb. pack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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Open to military and civilian participants, the event requires completing 18.6 miles while carrying over 24 pounds of dry weight, testing their endurance and motivation. The weight is verified before and after the march to ensure participants maintain the required load. Service members are required to wear their duty uniform and in boots. Time requirements for completion vary by age and gender and determine eligibility for the Norwegian Foot March badge.

The march originated in 1915 as an endurance test for soldiers in the Norwegian Army. It has since been adopted at several U.S. military installations. Completion demonstrates physical endurance, mental toughness, and military readiness.

A group of men and women, wearing military camouflage uniforms and wearing large backpacks, run down a paved road

Nearly 500 military members, veterans, and civilian personnel participate in the Norwegian Foot March at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 4, 2026. Originating in Norway as a military endurance test, the ruck march consists of an 18.6-mile march while carrying a ≥25 lb. pack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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“The goal today is to stimulate interest in marching over extended distances among military and civilian personnel,” said Tech Sgt. Michael Kowalke, 88th Security Forces Squadron, one of the project officers for the event.

The annual Norwegian Foot March at Wright-Patterson continues to grow in participation each year.

“It was my first time doing anything this long, and I think I did pretty well,” said Airman First Class Mason Bauer, 88th Security Forces Squadron. “Doing challenging activities with everyone here brings us together. Everyone is giving their best.” 

A behind view of a large group of people, most wearing military camouflage uniforms and large backpacks, marching down a paved road

Nearly 500 military members, veterans, and civilian personnel participate in the Norwegian Foot March at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 4, 2026. Originating in Norway as a military endurance test, the ruck march consists of an 18.6-mile march while carrying a ≥25 lb. pack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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One of the top finishers was 1st Lt. Thaddaeus Vaichus, 88th Healthcare Operations Squadron, who completed the march in approximately 3 hours and 16 minutes.

Top Finishers

Male:
1st – 1st Lt. Thaddaeus Vaichus, 88th Healthcare Operations Squadron
2nd – Maj. Tim Gribble, 179th Cyberspace Wing, Air National Guard, Mansfield, Ohio
3rd – Nathanial Hanson, MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Female:
1st – 1st Lt. Kara Kniezewski, AFIT
2nd – 2nd Lt. Caroline Weeren, AFIT
3rd – Army Cadet Heidi Gordon, ROTC

Click here for ruck images