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SHAPE International Marching Team participate in International Four Day Marches Nijmegen [1]

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Date: 2023-07 

MONS, Belgium - The Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) International Marching Team participated in the four day marches event in Nijmegen, the Netherlands from July 17 to 20, 2023.

Over 45,000 people from more than 70 countries, including several thousand military personnel, gather annually to take part in the event. Military teams walk 160 kilometres while carrying 10 kilograms of weight.

Military Team spirit is very important. This mixed international military team did a great job!

The SHAPE team, consisted of 19 people, from a number of NATO nations including, Canada, France, Spain, Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the US. Team members began rigorous training for the event in March and most of them walked almost 600 km to be well prepared.



Civilians greet the SHAPE team first day of the 4 Day Marches on July 17, 2023 in Nijmegen. A team from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe took part in the 4 Day Marches annual event in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. - NATO Photo by Staff Sergeant Tom Evans, GBR-A

The SHAPE Marching team during the last day of the 4 Day Marches on July 20, 2023. The team from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe took part in the 4 Day Marches annual event in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. - NATO Photo by Commander Hans van Pijkeren

The SHAPE Marching team cross the Waal Bridge in Nijmegen. A team from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe have been taking part in the 4 Day Marches annual event in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.- NATO Photo by Staff Sergeant Tom Evans, GBR-A





British Army's Staff Sergeant Tom Evans experienced the march for the first time and viewed it as a great opportunity. “My father and my grandfather walked it in the military in the past. This was on my bucket list to tick-off,” said Evans. Team Captain, Sergeant Sylvester Maliepaard, of the Dutch Marines organised the team, prepared the training schedule on and around SHAPE and as well in several European countries and was always there to motivate the team before / during the training and throughout the marches. "Military Team spirit is very important. This mixed international military team did a great job. Camaraderie and unity is leading to a common goal, especially during long and intensive physical periods. The team did great. I am more than proud."

The Vierdaagse (four days event) has taken place since 1909 and based at Nijmegen since 1924. It is the largest multiple day marching event in the world and attracts participants from as young as 11 to over 90 years of age. Every year participants walk 30, 40 or 50 kilometres for four days in the city on the Waal River and through its beautiful, wooded surroundings. At the conclusion, they receive the coveted 4 Days Marches Cross.

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[1] Url: https://shape.nato.int/news-archive/2023/shape-international-marching-team-participate-in-international-four-day-marches-nijmegen.aspx

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