IML Walking Association
The IML Walking Association (International Marching League) is an international non-profit organization. It was founded in 1987 from various international marching / hiking events . Founding members under the motto "NOS JUNGAT AMBULARE" (lat. "May hiking unite us") were the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Japan, Austria, Denmark, Belgium and Luxembourg.
The aim of the organization is to raise awareness of hiking as a healthy sport, to discover new countries and their landscapes and cultures "on foot", to create international friendships and to cultivate them across national borders. IML marches are never competitions where, for example, speed matters. The experience of hiking and culture is always in the foreground.
IML currently has 28 multi-day events in 26 countries around the world. The minimum requirement for successful participation in the IML classification is a march of at least two days with a daily distance of at least 20 km. The completion of three different events is considered a series. After completing several series, different medals and repetitions are awarded (1st march: "International Walker Medal" in bronze; four series of three different marches: medal in silver; 7 series: medal in gold etc.). In addition, there are ratings for the titles "European Walker" (min. 8 European marches), "Pan-Pacific-Walker" (min. 8 marches in the Asia-Pacific region), "Global Walker" (each at least 75% of all Marches in Europe and Pan-Pacific) and "International Master Walker" (participation in all marches of the 8 founding members).
IML medal
Every hiker receives a medal after successfully participating in an IML hike for the first time. After completing several series, different medals and repetitions are awarded (1st march: "International Walker Medal" in bronze; four series of three different marches: medal in silver; 7 series: medal in gold etc.). In addition, there are ratings for the titles "European Walker" (min. 8 European marches), "Pan-Pacific-Walker" (min. 8 marches in the Asia-Pacific region), "Global Walker" (each at least 75% of all Marches in Europe as well as Pan-Pacific or 10 marches each in both regions) and "International Master Walker" (participation in all marches of the 8 founding members).
IML marches (selection)
| country | march | Distances (km) | Special category for the military |
|---|---|---|---|
| Israel | Two days march of Gilboa | Sat. and Sun. 5, 11 or 20 km each | No |
| Sweden | Linnemarschen walking event | Sat. and Sun. combined 32 and 25 km
Sat. 42, 21, 10.5 or 6 km Sun. 30, 21, 10.5 or 6 km |
No |
| Belgium | Tweedaagse van Vlaanderen in Blankenberge | Sat. and Sun. 6, 3, 24 or 42 | No |
| Great Britain | International Waendel walk | Sat. and Sun. 5, 10, 15, 25 or 42 km each | No |
| Switzerland | Swiss two-day march | Sat. and Sun. each 10, 20, 30 or 40 km | Yes |
| France | The 4 jours de Chantonnay | Thu. to Sun. 8, 12, 21, 28 or 42 km each
120 km in 45 hours 200 km in 75 hours |
No |
| Luxembourg | Marche Internationale de Diekirch | Sat. and Sun. each 12, 20 or 40 km | No |
| Denmark | Haervejsmarchen | Sat. and Sun. each 20, 30, 40 or 45 km | No |
| Ireland | Castlebar International 4 Days' Walk | Thursday to Sunday 10 or 20 km each | No |
| Netherlands | Nijmegen March | Age and gender dependent | Yes |
| Finland | Vaasan Marssi | Fr. 12 km Archipelago walk or 21 km
Sat. and Sun. 10, 21, 30 or 42 km |
No |
| Norway | Sagamarsjen | Sat 31, 23, 7 or 5 km
Sun. 32, 24, 10 or 12 km |
No |
| Italy | Two-days march Mere e Monti | Sat. and Sun. each 10, 15 or 20 km | No |
| Austria | International 3-day unicorn march | Fri. to Sun. each 10, 20, 30 or 42 km | Yes |
| Czech Republic | Kudrna goes around Brno | Sat. and Sun. each 10, 20, 30 or 42 km | No |
| Spain | Caminada Intrenacional de Barcelona | Sat. 20 or 30 km
Sun. 20, 30 or 42 km |
No |
| Germany | Fulda March | Sat. 6 + 11, 21, 30 or 42 km
Sun. 6 + 11, 21 or 42 km |
Yes |
| Lithuania | Walkers Festival of Lithuania | Sat. and Sun. each 10, 20 or 30 km | No |
| country | march | Distances (km) | Special category for the military |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | The Texas Trail Roundup | Fr. 6 or 10 km
Sat. 5, 13, 21 or 42 km Sun. 5, 13 or 21 km |
No |
| New Zealand | International two-days walks | Sat. and Sun. each 10, 20 or 30 km | No |
| Australia | Canberra Walking Festival | Sat. and Sun. each 10.20, 30 or 42 km | No |
| Japan | Kyushu International 3 Day March | Fri. and Sat. 5, 10, 20 or 40 km each
Sun. 5, 10, 20, or 30 km |
No |
| People's Republic of China | International walking festival | Sat. and Sun. 5, 10, 20 or 30 km each | No |
| People's Republic of China | International 2 Days March | Sat. and Sun. each 10 or 20 km | No |
| United States | US Freedom Walk Festival | Sat. 21 or 44 km
Sun. 21 or 32 km |
No |
| Republic of Korea | International Two-Days walk Won-Ju | Sat. and Sun. 5, 10, 20, 30 or 50 km each | No |
| Japan | Int. Three-days March | Fri. to Sun. 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 km each | No |
| Taiwan | Two days Happiness March | Sat. and Sun. each 10, 20 or 30 km | No |
| Indonesia | Jogja International Heritage Walk | Sat. and Sun. 5, 10 or 20 km each | No |