Ironman in Kosovo

The soldiers covered distances of 25 and 50 kilometers – on a mountainous terrain interspersed with valleys – in uniforms, carrying backpacks weighing a minimum of 10 kilograms. The organizers were taken by a huge surprise too, when SFC Norbert Vakhal, a soldier of the HDF KFOR Contingent came in first on the 50-km trail, setting a new record.

The history of Dancon March started in 1972, and since then, the popular march has regularly been held in all areas of operations where Danish troops are deployed. Its real goal is to bring and motivate cohesion in the units.

More than 500 participants entered this year’s march in Kosovo. The soldiers registered at the gate of Camp Novo Selo, and then weighed in their packs. After the scales showed a minimum of 10 kilograms in each case, the “race" began. The route led through inhabited areas and steep mountainous terrain sectors. Every eight kilometers there were points of refreshment set up for the “marchers", providing them with continuous medical cover.

The “walk" demanded extraordinary physical and mental stamina. Worthy of Hungarian soldiers, everybody completed the distances set for them. A service member of the HDF Joint Force Command, SFC Norbert Vakhal covered an 50 km-trail in 5 hours 43 minutes. The runner-up reached the finish line almost an hour after the Hungarian peacekeeper. The Hungarian Sergeant First Class told us that he had thoroughly prepared for the march. Following an earlier cycling accident, he was long unable to do sports at competition level, but now this victory and the record have given him a huge boost.

“It was a fantastic feeling to stand on top of the rostrum, and as a Hungarian, I am proud of having been able to beat soldiers of 21 nations during the march", he said.

Photo: Roland Kálinger and László Kórádi