NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The sun had not yet risen over Forward Operating Base Kalagush in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province, Oct. 4, but there were Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force troops on the track, preparing themselves for a long journey, a 10-mile run.
Eighteen servicemembers from Forward Operating Base Kala Gush participated in the 10-mile shadow run, around the FOB, in support of the 25th annual Army 10-Miler, an Army tradition that is held every October at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
The Army 10-Miler is the largest ten mile race held in America. It is sponsored by U.S. Army Military District of Washington. The purpose of the run is to support all ambitions in maintaining good health, and boost interaction within the community, while still providing support for the Army.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Randal Maurer and 1st Lt. George Pierce, who are stationed together with the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment in Fort Carson, Colorado, decided to bring that tradition, in what is called a shadow run, to other servicemembers stationed at FOB Kala Gush.
Maurer has participated in the D.C. marathon before, and thought it would be a good idea to let other troops unfamiliar with the Army tradition, get a taste of what he believes is a genuine self-motivating, valuable experience.
“I wanted to try to better myself and to see if I could do it,” Maurer said. “I wanted to give others the opportunity to do that also.”
Pierce, who also sponsored the run for his former Army ROTC class at University of North Carolina, decided to help promote the run as soon as he got to FOB Kala Gush.
“I decided, with Lt. Maurer, to coordinate the marathon as a fun run, a morale booster,” said Peirce. “Something like this allows people to work hard and have fun at the same time. It also promotes camaraderie.”
That camaraderie was shown by Soldiers of the 2-77 to a fellow troop who was on his last two laps, and they all decided to join him and encourage him to finish it out. Everyone finished the race.
The Army 10-Mile Shadow run was a marathon that consisted of servicemembers from 2-77 FA and the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction team, which is a joint force of Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
For more information on the Army 10-Miler, visit www.thearmytenmiler.com.
NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. servicemembers participate in the Army 10-mile shadow run on Forward Operating Base Kalagush, October 4. The marathon was held in honor of the annual Army 10-Miler that is held in October in Washington D.C., in support of maintaining good health, boosting interaction within the community, and providing support for the Army. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins) (RELEASED)
NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army 1st Lt. Randall Maurer, runs by a concession stand while participating in the Army 10-mile shadow run on Forward Operating Base Kalagush, October 4. The marathon was held in honor of the annual Army 10-Miler that is held in October in Washington D.C., in support of maintaining good health, boosting interaction within the community, and providing support for the Army. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins) (RELEASED)
NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army Spc. Rich Kutch, Fort Collins, Colorado, reviews runners' times during the Army 10-mile shadow run on Forward Operating Base Kalagush, October 4. The marathon was held in honor of the annual Army 10-Miler that is held in October in Washington D.C., in support of maintaining good health, boosting interaction within the community, and providing support for the Army. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins) (RELEASED)
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