Denmark
Military Walking Events
Veteranmarch
Veteransupport conducts the annual Veteran March in the vicinity of Kronborg Castle in North Zealand every June, aiming to raise funds for veteran welfare in Denmark. Unfortunately, the event had to be canceled in 2021 due to Corona restrictions. As an alternative, participants were given the opportunity to complete the Veteran March routes of 7, 15, or 30 km locally. In conjunction with the Flyer March and the Guard March, many took advantage of the option to support the Veteran March and participate simultaneously with the other marches.
Initiatives like the Veteran March play a crucial role in honoring and supporting the servicemen and women who have dedicated their lives to serving their country. By coming together in solidarity, communities can show their appreciation and provide tangible assistance to those who have sacrificed for the greater good.
The atmosphere during the Veteran March is always filled with camaraderie and respect, fostering a sense of unity among participants who share a common goal of paying tribute to veterans. Such events not only raise funds but also raise awareness about the challenges faced by veterans and the importance of ongoing support and recognition for their contributions.
Each step taken during the Veteran March serves as a symbol of gratitude and remembrance for the sacrifices made by veterans. It is a powerful demonstration of collective appreciation and solidarity, showing that the community stands behind those who have served their country selflessly. The spirit of camaraderie and unity that pervades the event is a testament to the enduring bond between veterans and the community, highlighting the importance of coming together to support those who have dedicated their lives to serving others.
"Alternative" Veterans March 2021
Veteran March 2022
30 Km route
Veteran March 2023
30 Km route
"Alternative" Veterans March 2021
Front of the medal
Veteran March 2022
30 Km route
Front of the medal
Veteran March 2023
30 Km route
Front of the medal
"Alternative" Veterans March 2021
Backside of the medal
Veteran March 2022
30 Km route
Backside of the medal
Veteran March 2023
30 Km route
Backside of the medal
Gardermarch
The Gardermarch is held annually by the "Garderforeningen" and the "Royal Life Guards" starting from Høvelte Barracks.
The routes are laid out in the beautiful North Zealand landscape in the military training area and the forests around Blovstrød.
The march offers a short route of 10 Km (blue), a medium route of 20 Km (white), and a long route of 30 km (red).
A small mark on the medal ribbon indicates how many times the participant has completed the respective distance.
In 2023, unfortunately, the organizers managed to lose 1500 medals for first-year participants, leaving many walkers without the medal they had earned... not very impressive!
The registration fee is the highest I have experienced for a Danish one-day hike, equivalent to the fee paid for the IML Hærvejsmarchen in Viborg!
Gardermarch medal
Gardermarch medal
Front of the medal
Gardermarch medal
Backside of the medal
Gardermarch
Small badge to indicate the number of years and distance completed
Føringsstøtteregimentets Medaljemarch
This walking event is a cherished tradition within the Signals Regiment that takes place annually, commencing from Ryes Barracks located in Fredericia.
The march begins by weaving through the training grounds of the barracks before meandering alongside the picturesque Little Belt strait towards the heart of the city. Here, participants ascend the remarkable fortifications that define Fredericia's unique character.
This exhilarating journey not only showcases breathtaking landscapes but also offers a glimpse into a crucial chapter of Danish military heritage.
The event predominantly attracts serving soldiers, possibly influenced by the steep registration fee, which stands equivalent to that of the renowned Hærvejsmarchen in Viborg - a price that may seem excessive for a single-day 20 km trek...
Participants of the Medal March can immerse themselves in the rich history of the Signals Regiment, celebrating their dedication and service to the nation. The camaraderie and sense of achievement fostered during the march create lasting memories for all involved.
The Medal March is a testament to the perseverance and strength of the participants, echoing the values upheld by the Signals Regiment throughout its storied history.
Whether a seasoned soldier or a newcomer, the Medal March offers an opportunity to forge lasting bonds and forge new memories against the backdrop of Fredericia's spectacular landmarks and historical sites.
Medal for the first-year completion of the
Føringsstøtteregimentets Medaljemarch
Medal for the first-year completion of the
Føringsstøtteregimentets Medaljemarch
Front of the medal
Medal for the first-year completion of the
Føringsstøtteregimentets Medaljemarch
Backside of the medal
Søgårdsmarchen
The Søgårdsmarch takes place annually at the beginning of May.
The march starts and ends at Camp Søgård, which is the home of the Home Guard in Southern Jutland.
The march is a purely military event without the option for civilian participation. It is typically used as a qualifying march for the military teams that will later participate in the Dutch Four Days Marches in Nijmegen.
On Saturday, participants can choose to complete routes of 10 km, 20 km, or 40 km. On Sunday, there is only a 40 km route available.
Søgård Camp is an old manor dating back to the early 1300s. In 1934, the Danish Defence took over the camp, which has since served as a military garrison and now houses the Home Guard in Southern Jutland as well as an education center from the Home Guard School.
The garrison at Søgård Camp bore much of the burden during the early morning of the German invasion on April 9, 1940; 9 soldiers from Camp Søgård were killed in action that morning.
Søgårdsmarchen medal
Søgårdsmarchen medal
Front of the medal
Søgårdsmarchen medal
Backside of the medal
Søgårdsmarchen
Small metal badge with the number of km completed.
This badge is available as 10 km, 20 km, 40 km or 2 x 40 km
HJV Walking Challenge (Forår)
HJV Walking Challenge (Spring)
The Home Guard District South & Southern Jutland conducted a Km 90 virtual walking challenge at the beginning of 2021, where personnel from the Home Guard could participate.
HJV Walking Challenge (Spring 2021)
HJV Walking Challenge (Sommer)
HJV Walking Challenge (Summer)
The Home Guard District South & Southern Jutland conducted a Km 75/90 & Km 150/180 virtual walking challenge in the summer periods of 2021 and 2022 where personnel from the Home Guard could participate.
HJV Walking Challenge - Summer 2021
75 Km
HJV Walking Challenge - Summer 2022
90 Km
HJV Walking Challenge - Summer 2021
150 Km
HJV Walking Challenge - Summer 2022
180 Km
Mindemarch for ”udfaldet fra Fredericia”
Commemorative march for the “Fredicia Breakout”
The Military Historical Association of Fredericia organized a march on and by the fortification ramparts on July 7. 2024 to mark the 175th anniversary of the “Fredicia Breakout”
The Fredericia Breakout was a battle in the Three Years’ War (1848 – 1850)
In 1849, Fredericia had been surrounded by Schleswig-Holstein rebels under General Bonin in the early summer. The Schleswig-Holsteiners entrenched themselves in positions around the city and bombarded it with artillery.
In Fredericia, Colonel Niels Christian Lunding was in command, and together with the army’s new general-in-chief, Frederik Rubeck Henrik von Bülow, he planned a breakout to break the siege. Reinforcements were needed for the plan to succeed. From Helgenæs, General Olaf Rye's brigade was transferred by ship to Funen, and another brigade under General Christian de Meza sailed from Als.
At the time of the attack, 19,000 Danish soldiers were ready in the streets of Fredericia. They were to meet the 14,000 men of the Schleswig-Holsteins. Although the Danes were outnumbered, the opponents had the great advantage of fighting from fortified positions.
It was a hard fight, and the outcome was uncertain until sunrise, when the fighting was decided, as the Danish forces captured the Schleswig-Holsteins' fortifications and Bonin's troops fled.
There were many hundreds of fallen, and General Rye himself had fallen during the storm at Treldeskansen.
"Going to Rye's Brigade" has since been used to describe fallen Danish soldiers.
The Danish victory was a turning point in the war. It was due to the fact that the private soldier showed a high fighting spirit in the night battle, where the tactical maneuvers were difficult to carry out.
The outcome of the battle contributed to Prussia entering into an armistice with Denmark on July 10, 1849.
Commemorative medal for the Battle of Fredericia 1849
Commemorative medal for the Battle of Fredericia 1849
Front of the medal
Commemorative medal for the Battle of Fredericia 1849
Backside of the medal
Den Fynske Hjemmeværnsmarch
The Funen Home Guard March
For many years, the local Home Guard company in the area around Vissenbjerg and Tommerup in Central Funen has organized the Funen Home Guard March. This march is widely used as training for the military teams who later in the year travel to Holland to participate in the Nijmegen March.
The medals have remained the same throughout the years, however, the year of the event is engraved on each medal for the respective year it is held.
The Fynske Hjemmeværnsmarch March medal
Here from completing the march in the year 2010
De Blå Baretter’s March
The Blue Berets' March
The veteran association The Blue Berets (Now Denmark's Veterans) has been organizing the annual walk "The Blue Berets' March" since 1978.
This march is open to all who wish to participate! For many years, it was carried out in several of the local branches of the association, but unfortunately, it is now only held in the local branch in Næstved.
Over the years, there have been changing motifs on the medal; for many years, it featured a motif from one of the many UN missions with Danish participation.
The Blue Berets' March Medal
This medal is from the annual march in 2001 commemorating the Danish participation in the UNEF I mission in Gaza (1956 - 1967)
De Blå Baretter’s March Medal
This medal is of the new type where there is no longer a reference to a Danish UN mission...