• What does the registration fee go towards? Your registration fee covers t-shirt, Norwegian Foot March Badge (courtesy of the Nord Market), shipping and handling for the certificates. Leftover money will be donated to South Michigan Food Bank and other charities.

 

• What do I earn completing this event? All participants receive a T-shirt, but only those who complete the event to time standard earn a certificate of completion and, depending on how many races you have completed, a Norwegian Foot March Badge. 1st race earns the bronze badge, 2nd race earns the silver badge and your 5th race earns you a gold badge. 

 

• When do I get my official certificate from the embassy? When you complete the event to time standards you will receive your badge, but after the event is over the race director will submit times to the Norwegian Embassy. The embassy will then send back signed certificates. The race director will then mail them out to participants.

 

• How do I get this approved for wear? https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Foreign%20Award%20Info

 

• I am a civilian. Can I register for this event? Absolutely. We encourage everybody to sign up for this event. We have a question when you register asking this. The purpose is to gather a guest list for security to allow you onto post.

 

• I'm a civilian. Can I come the night before? As the event gets closer, we will send out in the welcome letter letting you know times for checking in and dropping bag off the night prior. As stated before, we will give a guest list to security to allow you onto post.

 

• As a civilian, what should I wear for the event? As a civilian, to conform to Norwegian Foot March standards, you will be required to carry a 25 lbs rucksack/backpack of military grade and wear long trousers along with military grade or hiking boots for a minimum weight of 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) (total weight for clothing including boots). We understand you don't have a uniform and this conforms to the standards (minus the military uniform). We ask all civilian participants to wear clothing of good taste, free of profanity and any discriminatory comments or innuendo.  Tennis shoes are not authorized for wear and military clothing is allowed if no rank or service component is displayed on the uniform

 

• How do I get on post? Military members will need to provide their CAC for entry to base. Civilians will be on a guest list and need to provide a drivers license or other form of identification for entry to post.

 

• Can I bring people to spectate? You can, but things to consider are the length of time the event will take (close to over 4 hours) and that they will be required to stay by the starting/end point. Only participants will be allowed on the course. Also, Fort Custer is a small base and has no PX. If you are a civilian who wants to bring a spectator for support, you will need to use the contact form to reach out to the race director who will then add them to the guest list for entry.

 

• I am a member of the military. What am I required to wear? You will be required to wear your combat uniform (OCPs-your daily uniform) and follow the 25 lbs pack standard. This extends to any outside branches participating as well (i.e., Navy, Marines, Air Force). The uniform must be within regulation during the march. For you Army folk, you will come to the event following AR 670-1 standards. You do not have to used the issued ruck, but it must be of military grade. Other examples allowed include Mystery Ranch, Hyperlite, Tactical 5.11. This is a highly visible event on Fort Custer.  You want to reflect the highest standards of your command. Those who show up with a unprofessional looking bag will be disqualified from the event. ACH and weapon are not needed for the event.

 

• What else would I need for the event? A water source, reflective belt, gel packs for energy.

 

• I live far away, but want to sign up for this event. Are there hotels in the area? Yes there are many hotels in the area, such as Holiday Inn, Travelodge, Best Western and Country Inn.

 

• How do I prepare for this type of event? Below will be a great training plan. This is recommended for those completing the Bataan Death March. The events are similar endurance events so the example below will be a great one to follow.

 

• What is the route? See below.

 

• What does the route look like? The route has areas of flat road but has a lot of elevation and rolling hills in areas. It is a 9.3 mile there and back route. A quarter of it is concrete and the rest is dirt road.

 

• Are there water stations located on the route? Yes, there is 4 water stations located along the route and there will be food at the turnaround point.

 

• What if there is inclement weather? Depending on the weather, the race director will make a determination whether to cancel or postpone the event. They will keep an eye forecast leading up to the event as well.

 

• Where will parking be available? There is parking on post and you will receive instructions in your welcome letter the closer we get to the event (will be sent out a month out from event).

 

• Am I allowed to wear a weight vest instead of carrying a ruck sack? No. Per Norweigian guidelines, a ruck sack is the only authorized item. If you have a weight vest and want to use it for weight in your pack you can, but the ruck sack must be worn for the event (and be 25 lbs).

 

• Has there been any changes from last year? We are happy to announce we have taken recommendations from last year and implemented a few of them. One of those recommendations was making the start/finish line near the check in/out area. We have reserved a building this year which will be right next to the parking lot and finish line. This way when you check out you don't have to walk so far (like across a PT track). As you can see by the scheduled date, we shifted it to allow training throughout the spring and summer. October will allow for cooler weather (and hopefully no snow or ice).

 

• I'm training with a partner. Will we be in the same HEAT? We are breaking down the HEATs by alphabetical order. They will be broken into 3 HEATs. There is a possibility you will not be with your training partner. We will not be changing the HEATs, as we coordinate this with our timing company ahead of time.

Route

Example Training Schedule