Photo By Pfc. Andrya Hill | Staff Sgt. John Trojanowski, a team leader from San Diego's 416th Civil Affairs...... read more read more
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan - The 1-19th Agribusiness Development Team out of Indiana, working with the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, hosted a remote version of the 33rd Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, May 2, at Forward Operating Base Salerno in eastern Afghanistan.
The 13.1 mile marathon is a long standing tradition in the home state of the 1-19th ADT, and their desire to share it with those stationed on FOB Salerno provided a morale boost for the runners and organizers, as well as the families at home.
"We appreciate a lot of our new friends and colleagues here sharing this moment with us. Having a good turn-out is going to mean a lot to the folks back home," said The 1-19th ADT commander, Col. Brian Copes, who personally ran the marathon.
Staff Sgt. John Trojanowski, a team leader from San Diego's 416th Civil Affairs Battalion, placed first with a time of 1 hour, 31 minutes, 49 seconds and drank the traditional celebratory glass of milk at the awards ceremony in which the top three places in each age group were recognized.
"You're never as good as they say you are when you win, and you are never as bad as they say you are when you lose. Luck, time and weather were on my side. I am happy with my run time, and I love the traditions and customs," said Trojanowski.
Another tradition of this mini marathon is to award the winner with a wreath made from orchids and flags. However in the Khost province of Afghanistan, the wreath was made with local materials that were grown in the 1-19th ADT's orchard on Salerno.
In conjunction with the race, several service members also participated in a walking version of the marathon, while others ran as relay teams.
Copes said he was excited to continue the tradition of the event, and attributed its success to the support received from the families at home.
"To our 500 committee back home, and our Family Readiness Group, I want to say thank you for the little bit of home they sent us: the shirts, the signed banners. We just really appreciate you all," he said.
| Date Taken: | 05.02.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.29.2009 11:04 |
| Story ID: | 34284 |
| Location: | KHOST, AF |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 158 |
This work, National Guard Soldiers host Mini-marathon, uphold Traditions, by PFC Andrya Hill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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