2026 Outdoor Recreation Hiking & Biking Challenge

Get outside, stay active, and push for the grand prize: a 3‑night resort stay for the top hiker and top cyclist across the Army.

 

 

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May 1 2026 - Sep 30 2026

May 1 2026 - Sep 30 2026

The 2026 Army Outdoor Recreation (ODR) Hiking & Biking Challenge is a five-month, Army‑wide initiative designed to motivate our community to get outside, stay active, and build some friendly inter‑garrison competition. This event welcomes our military community members of all skill levels to participate in either the hiking or cycling challenge, or both, while earning exclusive commemorative awards.

Participants can choose either the Hike Challenge, the Bike Challenge, or register for both. Track your miles all summer long and earn milestone awards as you progress. 

Challenge Dates: May 1 – September 30, 2026


Cycling/Biking Challenge

Ride hard, earn your medals, and crush all three milestones.

Milestones: 250 km • 500 km • 1000 km

Hiking Challenge

Hit the trails, earn your patches, and complete the scene by reaching all three milestones.

Milestones: 25 km • 50 km • 100 km

How to Participate

  1. Register with Fort Carson Outdoor Recreation.
  2. Receive your shirt at sign‑up.
  3. Complete your miles outdoors between 1 May and 30 September.
  4. Track your distances using the official ODR tracker.
  5. Submit your completed tracker to ODR by 8 October 2026.
    • Late submissions cannot be accepted.
Two Participation Categories
1. Individual
  • Eligible for shirt and all earned medals or patches.
  • Awards are based on individual distance completion.
2. Family/Group
  • Distances are combined across all members to earn a single award set.
  • Registration includes one shirt and one award set per paid entry.
  • Additional apparel may be purchased separately.

GRAND PRIZES (New This Year!)

AFRC‑eligible participants - Active Duty, Retirees, DoD Civilians, and eligible family members can compete for a national prize.

The top hiker and top cyclist across all garrisons will each win a 3‑night stay at either:

  • Dragon Hill Lodge (Seoul, South Korea)
  • Edelweiss Lodge & Resort (Garmisch, Germany)

Final contest rules will be posted once released by IMCOM.

Compliance Requirement

All distance‑tracking data must be submitted on time to qualify for awards. No exceptions for late submissions.

For more information, visit: https://www.armymwr.com/odronthemove


 

Cost

$50 registration fee for either the Biking or Hiking Challenge.
Registration Information
  • Custom cycling jersey (biking participants) or custom T-shirt (hiking participants).
  • Apparel is provided upon registration, regardless of challenge completion.
  • Additional jerseys/T-shirts for family/group members available for $45 through local ODR.