international walking
That coveted stamp after the finish line
Here’s a sensation that will resonate with many 4Days Marches walkers: after the final long day of walking, you pop over to the IML Walking Association’s stand to get your Walker Passport stamped. It’s a small gesture that for some has become part of a much bigger walking adventure.
What is the IML Walking Association?
The IML Walking Association is an international non-profit organisation that promotes and connects multi-day, non-competitive walking events. IML stands for International Marching League and was founded in 1987 by eight leading walking events, one of which being Nijmegen’s 4Days Marches. To qualify for membership, a walking event has to meet several criteria. It has to consist of at least two full-day stages of twenty kilometres. A new walking event cannot just join the association. They can only apply for membership once the event has been held for three years. At that point, the association will verify whether the event meets the membership criteria. If it does, the event’s membership will be put to a vote at the next meeting. The members are walking events all over the planet, ranging from Europe to Asia and from Oceania to North America. What they all have in common is the emphasis on walking together instead of competing, or, as the organisation’s motto says: ‘Nos iungat ambulare’ (May walking unite us).
Why is the 4Days Marches a member?
Nijmegen’s 4Days Marches played a role in the IML’s inception. It is one of its founding members. To this day, the 4Days Marches is an important meeting place for international walkers. Not only because of the walking itself, but also because participants from all corners of the globe come together here, share experiences and sometimes make plans for the next IML events elsewhere in the world.
How does the IML Walker Passport work?
Anyone who takes part in an IML walking event can purchase an official IML Walker Passport. The idea is to get this booklet stamped every time you participate in one of the member events. To get a stamp, you have to complete the full event of at least two days, with a minimum of twenty kilometres a day. The passport has room for multiple stamps from the various walking events. After completing multiple IML events, walkers can get IML awards and the corresponding bars. These bars show the country or walking event, so that people can see where you have walked. For many participants, it begins with a single stamp. But it soon grows into an international collection of walking memories and sometimes a sporting goal of ticking off more and more IML events to reach ‘Universal Walker’ status, which is a major title to mark the exceptional feat of having completed every single IML event.
START AT THE IML STAND
Curious about IML? You will find an IML stand at both De Wedren and Heumensoord. That’s where you can buy your first IML Walker Passport and start collecting right away.