An Cosantóir Dec 2018/Jan 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie
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BY COMDT IAN STEWART (AR) 1 ACS
T
he International Four Day Marches in Nijmegen is the
largest multiple days marching event in the world. It takes
place every year and participants walk 30, 40 or 50 kilome-
ters daily depending on their age and gender, and on completion
receive a royally approved medal.
Originally a military event with a few civilians, civilian numbers
have risen in recent years. This year approximately 35,000 civil-
ians took part.
Armed Forces from all over the world send contingents to take
part in the marches. This year military participants numbered
approximately five thousand. Although some military personnel
march as individuals, most march in teams. Military teams can
contain as few as eleven members or as many as thirty.
Military personnel follow a slightly different route to other
participants; this is because they do not start in Nijmegen but in
the military camp Heumensoord just south of Nijmegen. Military
participants march 40 km per day with at least 10 kilograms of
dead weight, not including water and rations.
This year five members of the Defence Forces Army Reserve
took part. The team comprised Comdt Ian Stewart, 1 ACS, Lt Fergal
Fitzgerald, 27 In Bn, Sgts Brian O'Keeffe, 2 BTC and Eddie Wiggles-
worth, 7 Inf Bn and Cpl Mark Lande, 1 ACS. Lt Fitzgerald was com-
pleting his third march and all the others were first timers.
Training started in March when we all concentrated on pound-
ing the tarmac as much as possible individually, with some
weekend meet ups to walk longer distances together. Two weeks
Sgt Brian O'Keeffe and Lt Fergal Fitzgerald resting.
Sgt Brian O'Keeffe, Comdt Ian Stewart and Lt Fergal
Fitzgerald with their Nijmegen medals.
Camp Huemensoord
Camp Heumensoord's Dining complex.
