DANCON March in Kosovo

The Dancon March has been a tradition with the Danish Defence since 1972 and regularly organized in countries where Danish troops are deployed, for example in Cyprus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers of other troop contributing countries serving in the areas of operations are also invited to join the march. The organizers use the proceeds to support Danish veterans and their families.

The competitors wore uniforms and boots and carried minimum 10kg extra weight of equipment while covering the distances of more than 25 and 40 kilometers of the march that follows a route from Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, up hill and down dale across the surrounding terrain. Those who successfully completed the distance in under a given time received Dancon March medals, and the first three finishers in each of the four categories were presented with special prizes as well.

There were 77 Hungarian peacekeepers among the more than 950 entrants. Two soldiers of the HDF 5th “István Bocskai" Infantry Brigade gave an outstanding performance at the event. PV2 Andrea F. came in second in the female 40km category. “I do sports regularly, but have not trained specifically for this competition. It is a very good feeling to know that I managed to complete the distance in seven hours, although before the start I believed it would be impossible for me to make it", she said after the results were announced.

SFC Sándor K. was placed third in the male 25km category. Sándor was training a lot for the march – he went jogging several times a week and had already entered the Dancon march in January this year. “As a Hungarian soldier, I was very happy to have the opportunity to represent my own country in an international event", the sergeant first class added.

Photos by the author