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It was the year 1972, the era of the idea of "Sports For Everyone". A number of sports-minded members of the Sports council of Ieper came up with the idea to organise a walk of several days. A walk that had more to offer than the many events that were already being organised at that time. Ieper, with its war past and its magnificent landscapes, had everything it needed to turn the '100 km of Ieper' into a classic walk of international fame.

After the first walk, the 'Ieperse Wandelclub' was born. Its founding members went for a walk on Sunday and used this as a means to recruit participants for the second edition in which also the French club, 'Les Marcheurs du Val de Marne', participated.

In 1974, 2 English soldiers came on an exploration mission. As such, Major Campbell and Sgt. Smith became the English ambassadors of the 100 km. Every year, the number of English participants increased - in 1976 some 300 English soldiers and Bobbies were welcomed. That was also the first year the Canadians, stationed in Lahr (Germany), participated.

By that time, the German reservists had already walked their first 100 km in Ieper. Every night, the different participants had a drink and fraternized in the 100 km Hotel, the barracks of Ieper.

When the 'Ieperse Wandelclub' was dissolved at the beginning of the eighties, the '100 km of Ieper' went in search of its second wind. After 2 difficult years, as of 1986, when the new and independent organisation committee was founded, they were back on the right track.

Now, the older and newer co-workers succeed in turning the '100 km of Ieper' into a pleasant three-day's walk. A three-day's walk in and around the Peace Town of Ieper, in an atmosphere of fraternization and friendship between different people, which was not always the case in the past...

Ieper and its surroundings are a silent witness and a magnificent landscape for this unique walking event.