On that day, the Danish contingent organized the summer edition of the Dancon March, held regularly since 1972 and organized by the Danish Armed Forces wherever Danish soldiers serve on an overseas mission. Soldiers and military employees from all countries serving within KFOR structures, as well as officers from the EULEX international police structures, took part in this edition.
This year's march was held on two routes, measuring 25 and 40 kilometers. Each participant had to carry an additional load exceeding 10 kg. The Polish contingent performed excellently on the difficult route, which led largely through mountainous terrain with very strong sunlight. More than 75 soldiers, officers and military employees represented the Polish Military Contingent.
The results achieved by PKW KFOR soldiers were very good. Over 25 kilometers, third place went to Warrant Officer Przemysław Lachowski, with a time of 2 hours and 44 minutes. Over 40 kilometers, Captain Marcin Pawłowski proved unbeatable, winning this grueling distance. He completed the route in less than four hours, in 3 hours and 53 minutes, astonishing this year's participants and organizers. Lieutenant Łukasz Sierkowski also took a very good fourth place over this distance. These results demonstrate the excellent physical preparation of PKW soldiers, which translates into a very high standard of mandate-related task performance by the contingent's soldiers.
The competition was fierce. For some, the goal was simply to complete the march within the allotted time. Others competed for the highest possible place and the fastest time. But in reality, everyone who completed the route was a winner. At the end, participants received a commemorative medal and a certificate of completion.
Approximately 1,100 participants from 23 countries took part in this year's edition. More than 50 participants did not complete the march.
25 km: 3rd place — Warrant Officer Przemysław Lachowski, time: 2:44:45
He serves on a daily basis in the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment in Bolesławiec as commander of the communications platoon in the command battery of the 3rd Rocket Artillery Squadron. In Kosovo, as part of the XXXXIV rotation of PKW KFOR, he serves as an information and telecommunications network administrator. He began his service on August 24, 1998, at the School of Radar and Command Systems Warrant Officers in Jelenia Góra, graduating two years later with the second-highest result. For years, his passion, which he shares with his wife, has been running. Together they prepare for and compete in numerous half-marathons and marathons across the country. Przemysław Lachowski's other passion is restoring old cars.
Achievements:
- first place in the Commando's Knife Run in Afghanistan in 2011
- three-time winner of the Papal Run in Lublin in the fastest married couple category
- 11th Mechanized Division cross-country running champion in 2016
- further personal records in marathons and half-marathons.
As he says:
My greatest achievement is sharing my passion with my wife and son. Spending time with them during preparations and the joy of our achievements are a great motivation for me.
40 km: 1st place — Marcin Pawłowski, time: 3:53:30
He serves on a daily basis in the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade in Świętoszów as head of the information and telecommunications support team. In Kosovo, as part of the XXXXIV rotation of PKW KFOR, he is responsible for organizing radio and satellite communications. After completing his studies at the University of Zielona Góra, he began his service in 2006 at the Higher School of Land Forces Officers. His passions for years have included long-distance running, mountains and climbing.
Achievements:
- Polish runner-up in the 100 km race in 2011
- bronze medal at the Polish 100 km Mountain Running Championships in Krynica in 2014
- Polish Soldiers' Marathon runner-up in Lębork in 2014
- setting the Polish record in the Mont Blanc race, with a time of 4 hours and 4 minutes, in Chamonix in 2015
- completion of the world's most prestigious mountain race — the 170 km Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc — through France, Switzerland and Italy in 2015
- victory in more than 10 mountain races over 100 km
- victory in the 40 km Dancon March in Novo Selo, Kosovo, in 2016
M. Pawłowski
Running gives me the greatest sense of freedom. Thanks to my passion, I have been able to visit many fascinating places, and I can do so in a much shorter time. In the future, I would like to take part in and complete the most prestigious mountain races on every continent.Lieutenant Damian Antonik/ii