Fort Carson community participates in first Danish Flyver Ruck March
More than 560 people from the Fort Carson military community recently participated in the Danish Flyver Ruck March.
Hosted by Evans Army Community Hospital, the Flyver March originates from Denmark's broader Danish Cognigent March, or DANCON March tradition, which began during a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cyprus in 1972. The Danish Air Force later adapted the long-distance rucking tradition into the Flyver March, maintaining its focus on physical fitness, morale and camaraderie.
In 2026, the Royal Danish Air Force formally authorized foreign military units to register and host sanctioned events at their home installations. Following formal endorsement and coordination with the Danish Air Force leadership, over 45,000 participants from across all U.S. military branches took part across 47 states and 27 countries.
To earn the official ribbon, which is now authorized for wear on military uniforms, participants completed a 20 km (12.4 mile) march in military duty uniform carrying a minimum of 10 kg, or 23 lb, rucksack.
Here at Fort Carson, participants were primarily active-duty service members, but there was also participation from Department of Defense Civilians, Veterans and National Guard members from units across Fort Carson, and local National Guard elements.
“Unlike many traditional military marches, the Danish Flyver March is an untimed endurance event,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Cristina Wilson, the Fort Carson Soldier Recovery Unit CSM and Danish Flyver Committee Chair. “This accessible format encourages maximum participation across all fitness and recovery levels, allowing more service members to challenge themselves and build unit camaraderie.”
According to 2nd Lt. Andre Pereida, the Danish Flyver Committee OIC, a key to the event’s success was securing key community partners to include arranging food trucks, a coffee vendor, and free pancakes served by volunteers from Fort Carson’s1st Space Brigade.
“Most importantly, everyone pushed through safely with zero major injuries,” Pereida said. “Hundreds of participants crossed the finish line, earned an authorized foreign award for their uniform, and made post history during Fort Carson’s first-ever Danish Flyver March. While the event wasn’t timed, Special recognition goes out to our top performers of the day,” Pereida said.”
The top three finishers were:
- First Place: 2nd Lt. Jude Martyak, Evans Army Community Hospital
- Second Place: Spc. Emmanuel Audu, 4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade
- Third Place: Staff Sgt. Joseph Gutierrez, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Force Group (Airborne)
According to Wilson, these events foster inter-unit cohesion, mental resilience, and physical wellness. “For specialized units, it provides a goal-oriented milestone that builds morale and teamwork in a non-punitive, supportive environment,” Wilson said. “Based on the high level of engagement and positive feedback across all units, planning for next year's event is already supported.
“We would also like to give a special thanks to all the cadre, volunteers, and medical support staff who ensured safety and smooth operations along the route. The collaborative spirit between our host units demonstrated the strength of our joint community.”
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