This year's National Day will be remembered for many years. Remembered as the year we had to rethink. The year in which keeping a distance from each other became vital. 

Even though everyday life is different, it runs like never before. We wanted to create a concept where everyone could participate, and which you could participate in no matter where you were in the country. The response was not long in coming, the whole country is represented. All the counties in the country are involved. Soon 7000 signed up.

But it would turn out that the 17th mayoral marathon would spread beyond Norway's borders. Almost 400 people from the wider world will celebrate Norway's national day by joining one of the distances. It is not a requirement to run, you are welcome to walk. It's about getting out.

Viking Stroller, is one of several groups that intend to participate in the 17th mairaton. They have good experience of walking longer distances.

We are a group of like-minded people who love to walk, preferably a little far, says initiator Anniken Johansen

The group was established in 2012 in connection with the Nijmegen march in the Netherlands. Since then, Viking Stroller has been seen in many places.

We meet at various events around the world. We have our own patch and pennant so we can easily find each other, Johansen explains.

Now it's the 17th mairaton that is the turn for the growing activity gang. In light of many canceled events, this event came as a good alternative. 

We ignited the idea and have spread the good news to everyone in Viking Stroller all over the world, and hope more of the "Vikings" go to their home areas. German Navy has 55 pax in its own country. In Oslo, we will be a group of Vikings who will walk a half marathon, says Anniken Johansen. 

The fact that the 17th mairaton has not only become a nationwide event, but also become something many around the world want to take part in is a good proof that virtual activities can more easily spread across national borders.

When you end up in a state of emergency that large parts of the world are in now, it is nice to see that you support virtual measures, says Cecilie L'Orsa Tveit, general manager of the Oslo Marathon. You reach much wider and can more easily mobilize over larger geographical areas when we arrange virtually. There is no required travel activity, and on the 17th May marathon you have plenty of time to complete, the only requirement is that it must take place on 17 May, L'Orsa Tveit continues.

The IML Walking Association is another group that has been inspired by a slightly different national day on 17 May. They are a non-profit organization that works to promote physical activity and healthy sports. There are 29 walking events each year that are arranged, now they are going out to go on the 17th mairaton.

The coronavirus made major changes to many of IML's activities. We had looked forward to going to Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, France and the Netherlands, but it will be difficult now, says Sylwia Skorstad one of many hikers for IML. We will therefore walk the marathon distance, in each of our countries with Norwegian flags, we will take photos and videos and share with each other throughout the day, says Skorstad.

These are just two examples of how the event has spread abroad. In addition, participants from the USA will help to make their mark on the 17th mairaton. 56 nationalities are represented, of all ages. The wide geographical spread is one of the things that surprises most.

We are incredibly proud that so many want to join this. All the stories we have received about how the 17th marathon has contributed to something positive are very motivating and rewarding. We hope as many as possible will join in creating a memory bank by taking photos and videos with the hashtag # 17mairaton, so that we can look back on a fantastic national day, concludes Cecilie L'Orsa Tveit.

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