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The IML Walking Association (until 2006 named the International Marching League (IML)) is a non-profit organization that promotes recreational walking in the form of international non-competitive multi-day walking events ("marches") in its member countries. (Updated June 24, 2019) The motto of the organization is ''Nos iungat ambulare'' ("May walking bring us together").
The IML Walking Association promotes a series of walking events in 29 countries, subdivided into the European Region (including Israel) and the Pan Pacific Region (including Canada and the USA). Normally, there is only one authorized IML event per member country, but a second can be accepted under certain conditions, in particular if it is held at a sufficient distance from the first and in a different topography. New member events can be admitted if they have been held for three years and offer routes over a minimum distance of 20 km per day. They are first accepted as a candidate event and then as a member event by the IML General Meeting. Some events have been discontinued in the meantime.
Walkers participating in IML affiliated events may buy a "passport" in which successful participation is recorded, and may also obtain medals and certificates based upon the number of completed walks. (Accessed April 8, 2020) Each walking event has a minimum duration of two days, with a minimum daily distance of 20 km to count towards IML awards. Most events also offer walks over shorter and longer distances.
In the tradition of the Four Days Marches of Nijmegen which started as a training event for the Dutch military, the IML events are also attended by military units.
History
IML has its origins in the annual International Four Days Marches Nijmegen,Netherlands
, Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...
, organized by the Dutch KNBLO (now the KWBN). The success of this event and the increasing number of foreign walkers led, from the late 1960s, to the KNBLO helping to set up similar annual events in other countries. These include ''Hærvejsmarchen'' in Viborg, Denmark
Viborg () is a city in central Jutland, Denmark, the capital of both Viborg municipality and Region Midtjylland. Viborg is also the seat of the Western High Court, the Courts of Denmark, High Court for the Jutland peninsula. Viborg Municipality ...
; ''Marche international de Diekirch'' in Diekirch
Diekirch (; ; or (locally) ; from ''Diet-Kirch'', i.e. "people's church") is a Communes of Luxembourg, commune with List of towns in Luxembourg, town status in north-eastern Luxembourg, in the Diekirch (canton), canton of Diekirch and, until its ...
, Luxembourg
Luxembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a landlocked country in Western Europe. It is bordered by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France on the south. Its capital and most populous city, Luxembour ...
; the ''International Four Days Walks'' in Castlebar
Castlebar () is the county town of County Mayo, Ireland. Developing around a 13th-century castle of the de Barry family, from which the town got its name, the town now acts as a social and economic focal point for the surrounding hinterland. Wi ...
, Ireland
Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
; and the ''Two Days March'' of Bern
Bern (), or Berne (), ; ; ; . is the ''de facto'' Capital city, capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city".; ; ; . According to the Swiss constitution, the Swiss Confederation intentionally has no "capital", but Bern has gov ...
, Switzerland
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...
. In 1977 the Japan Walking Association established the ''Japan Three Day March'', the first annual non-competitive walking event outside Europe. In 1986 the multi-day walking event organizations of Austria
Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine Federal states of Austria, states, of which the capital Vienna is the List of largest cities in Aust ...
, Belgium
Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
, Denmark, Ireland, Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland agreed to form the ''International Marching League'', which was officially founded in 1987. Since then, membership has steadily increased, with the United Kingdom represented by the ''International Waendel Walk'' in Wellingborough
Wellingborough ( ) is a market town in the North Northamptonshire, Unitary Authority area, England, from London and from Northampton, north of the River Nene.
Originally named "Wendelingburgh" (the stronghold of Wændel's people), the Anglo ...
since 1990, and new events organised in the Far East
The Far East is the geographical region that encompasses the easternmost portion of the Asian continent, including North Asia, North, East Asia, East and Southeast Asia. South Asia is sometimes also included in the definition of the term. In mod ...
, Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
, New Zealand
New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
, the United States and Canada.
In 2006, the general meeting of the participating organizations decided to take the current ''IML Walking Association'' title.
Activities
The IML Walking Association promotes a series of walking events in 29 countries, subdivided into the European Region (including Israel) and the Pan Pacific Region (including Canada and the USA). Normally, there is only one authorized IML event per member country, but a second can be accepted under certain conditions, in particular if it is held at a sufficient distance from the first and in a different topography. New member events can be admitted if they have been held for three years and offer routes over a minimum distance of 20 km per day. They are first accepted as a candidate event and then as a member event by the IML General Meeting. Some events have been discontinued in the meantime.
Walkers participating in IML affiliated events may buy a "passport" in which successful participation is recorded, and may also obtain medals and certificates based upon the number of completed walks. (Accessed April 8, 2020) Each walking event has a minimum duration of two days, with a minimum daily distance of 20 km to count towards IML awards. Most events also offer walks over shorter and longer distances.
In the tradition of the Four Days Marches of Nijmegen which started as a training event for the Dutch military, the IML events are also attended by military units.
External links
* {{Cite web , url=http://www.imlwalking.org/#/home , title=Welcome , publisher=IML Walking AssociationReferences