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Feet feat: Dartmouth cadets tackle ‘world’s biggest walk’ in Netherlands
29 July 2025
A dozen cadets from Britannia Royal Naval College demonstrated their resolve in the summer heat by marching for 160 kilometres around the Netherlands.
The contingent of cadets, plus staff, from Dartmouth joined 65,000 military personnel and civilians from around the globe attempting ‘the world’s biggest walk’.
The Four Days Marches attracted participants – not competitors, for it is not a race – from three dozen nations.
Given the location and the heavy military involvement, you might think the event is connected with Operation Market Garden, but it actually pre-dates the famous 1944 battle.
The event began in 1909 largely as a long-distance military march intended to build-up the stamina of Dutch soldiers. Some 300 troops yomped across the Netherlands, converging on Breda near the Belgian border.
Since 1925 – interrupted only by conflict, Covid lockdowns and a life-threatening heat wave one year – the walk has been centred on the historic city of Nijmegen.
The UK’s armed forces have been involved since the 1950s, with nearly 800 committed to the 2025 walk, the event’s 109thiteration.
To take part, the Dartmouth team had to pass a rigorous two-day qualifying event in the UK, supported by targeted training sessions across varied terrain.
“The two practice marches were hard. However, I finished them knowing that if I could do the ups and downs of the Devonshire coast then I could survive the [relatively] flat roads of the Netherlands,” said Officer Cadet Russell.
Officer Cadet Wilson had family reasons for volunteering for the event.
“I’ve always wanted to do the marches, because my dad did it in 1989. The stories I heard about it growing up meant that as soon as the opportunity came up, I had to do it.”
Each day walkers set off before sunrise – 5.35am – and were on their feet until crossing the finish line ahead of the deadline at 5pm having averaged 40km (25 miles) a day.
“Marching with the Royal Navy at Nijmegen for the first time was unforgettable, despite sore feet and blisters,” said Officer Cadet Fannin. “The camaraderie and incredible atmosphere made every step truly worth it.”
Fellow cadet Hale added: “It was the most challenging but rewarding experience of my life – I learned a lot about self-determination. The lively atmosphere kept me on the right track.”
Throughout the people of Nijmegen and environs lined the route to cheer participants on, while bands provided musical encouragement.
“Four days, 160 kilometres, countless blisters, and Europop on repeat – Nijmegen was brutal but brilliant,” said Officer Cadet Dixon. “Turns out, nothing bonds people like shared pain, sweaty boots, and a wake-up song at 0330 hours.”
Towards the end of the final day the marchers paused in Nijmegen’s Charlemagne Field to receive the Vierdaagsekruis (Four Days Cross) in recognition of their achievements, before parading with the rest of the UK military contingent down the Via Gladiola, the final kilometre of the route, where they were showered with gladioli and cheered by locals.
“Every day brought a fresh set of physical and mental demands. The BRNC marchers had to dig deep, pushing past fatigue and discomfort,” said Captain Eira Booth, who oversaw the British military contingent on the march.