Soldiers carrying flags lead off as 211 New York National Guard . Soldiers and Airmen set out on the Danish Ruck March at Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., on Aug. 28, 2026. Over 45,000 American service members competed across the world in this virtual in-person event and 211 participated in the event at Camp Smith. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sebastian Rothwyn)

CORTLANDT MANOR- More than 200 New York National Guard members put their legs, and their endurance, to the test last week on the steep trails and roads of Camp Smith Training Site.

A total of 211 soldiers and airmen completed a 12.4-mile course August 28 while carrying 23-pound packs as part of the Royal Danish Air Force’s Flyver March, an international military endurance event.

The march, hosted by the New York National Guard’s 53rd Troop Command, is designed to build camaraderie and test physical stamina. Participants who complete the course with the required pack weight earn the Danish Flyver March medal and ribbon for wear on their military uniforms.

Camp Smith’s rugged Hudson Highlands terrain provided a particularly challenging course.

The event began with pack weigh-ins at 6 a.m., followed by the start shortly after 7. There was no official time limit, allowing participants to tackle the course at their own pace.

Maj. Dennis Tierney, an operations officer with the 53rd Troop Command, was the first finisher, completing the march in an estimated two hours and 20 minutes. Tierney said regular training runs on local landmarks such as Anthony’s Nose helped prepare him for the hills.

“I knew the field would be full of strong, competitive participants,” Tierney said. “The event reinforced that when you put in the grueling trail miles ahead of time, your body and mindset will hold strong when it counts.”

Spc. Quintin Bowman of the 204th Engineer Battalion finished second in 2 hours, 39 minutes. Bowman, who had previously earned two Norwegian Foot March badges, said the experience reinforced his confidence and the value of teamwork.

“Surrounding yourself with people who have positive outlooks in difficult situations builds a type of resiliency like no other,” he said.

New York Army National Guard Soldiers participate in the annual Danish Ruck March at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill on August 28, 2026. They were among 50,000 American military personnel who took part in the annual event. Thousands of military service members competed across the world in this virtual in-person event and 211 participated in the event at Camp Smith. Soldiers and Airmen who complete the Danish Flyver March can earn a patch and ribbon. The event involves rucking 20 kilometers, or just over 12 miles, with a 10-kilogram (or 23-pound) rucksack. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sebastian Rothwyn)

Sgt. 1st Class Leon Mabra III, a Camp Smith garrison soldier, placed third in just under three hours.

“I am most proud of the fact that I finished third and under three hours with this difficult terrain,” Mabra said.

The march was organized by a committee led by Lt. Col. Nicholas Whaley, commander of the 204th Engineer Battalion. Whaley said the lack of a required finishing time made the event accessible to soldiers and airmen of varying fitness levels.

“It was a lot more accessible to a larger group,” Whaley said.

The event drew far more participants than the minimum required for an official remote Danish host site. Under Danish regulations, at least 50 military participants are required.

A smaller group of New York National Guard members completed the march the following day at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse.

After most marchers finished around noon, they re-weighed their packs and gathered for a barbecue.

“You could see throughout the ruck everyone was one unified team,” Tierney said.



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