European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 20, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Monday april 20, 1987 the stars and stripes Page 3 Millne proudly a Man receives congratulations and applause from friends As he nears the end of the 50-mile March that was joined by More than 4,800 in he Netherlands. Marchers again respond to Kennedy Challenge Story and photos by a Emmett Lewis or. Staff photographer s1ttard. Netherlands More than 4,800 marchers started on a 50-mile March at 6 . Saturday in response to a Challenge by John f. Kennedy More than 24 years ago. Some of these would not finish the March until about 2 . Sunday Kennedy commented thai he believed americans were in such bad physical shape that they could not walk 50 Miles in 20 hours. In 1963. After hearing about a British group thai had performed he March in England 11 dutch students Ages 16 and 17, decided to head out on a March of their own according to act Van Der Loo. He was one of the first Wing annual event now called ily the marchers and after the first five years he decided to help organize the rapidly growing John Kennedy March. The second year there were 42 peo ple then 150 the next and it kept going up and up said Van Der Loo. Many members or the Van Der Loo family help Wilh the marches. In keeping with Kennedy s Challenge he marchers have 20 hours to Complete the March through dutch and belgian villages in the Limburg province area. 100 Yards to the finish the hundreds of but some marchers go for Speed. The spectators on either Side of the route broke into applause. Wives Sisters and girlfriends rushed to Greet some of the record for the March was set by a Ger Man Man several years ago who covered inc distance in about 7 hours and 49 minutes. The red Cross volunteers and families provided marchers with food drink and first Aid along the Way. At an Aid station in a Castle near Thorn weary marchers could grab a bite to eat have blisters treated and have their legs massaged. Families and friends wailed anxiously at the finish line for i hair marchers. As marchers limped walked or ran the last Gre. Finishers with Flowers hugs and kisses As the 76lh army band from Kaiser slam Lern Germany played Glenn Miller music and current pop tunes in the Back ground. One Marcher limped to within 25 Yards of the finish pulled out m Small camera and shot a picture of irk finish line a souvenir of his successful answer to Kennedy s Challenge. Rapt Wiki Janni Haw a it Orney Conlita Jwj la ii Ottofy to icel participants pass a Ruhr line Ostrei s in right photo Volunteer punch the cards of participants i a Chat Ini Lyhl re Lori Frith marchers
