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    Soldiers run marathon in Iraq

    Soldiers Run Marathon in Iraq

    Photo By Sgt. Shantelle Campbell | Service members and civilians at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, outside Tikrit,...... read more read more

    TIKRIT, Iraq — Nearly 400 service members and civilians from throughout Salah ad-Din province in northern Iraq participated in the "Dragon" Brigade half and full marathons, March 5.

    Some raced to win, others raced to see if they had what it takes to make it physically and mentally through 26.2 miles.

    Maj. Wesley Richardson, the brigade intelligence officer with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort Riley, Kan., won the half marathon and said he was "just enjoying the morning" as he ran to victory.

    Capt. Evelyn Santos, who works with Maj. Richardson in the "Dragon" Brigade intelligence section, was excited to finish her first marathon.

    For Santos, running a marathon in Iraq had personal significance.

    "My brother, who worked in the twin towers, was injured on Sept. 11," Santos said. "He runs a marathon every September now. After my deployment I'm going to run with him. I want to train for the next marathon; I'm motivated to try again."

    Pvt. Brandon Hephner, with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th IBCT, deployed to Iraq in September and was excited to see if his hard work to improve his physical fitness paid off.

    "I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it and push myself a little bit," the Wichita, Kan., native said.

    Hephner, who ran the half marathon, was excited at the finish.

    "When we came out here, I couldn't even pass the [Army Physical Fitness] test —I'm pretty proud of myself," he added.

    According to the winner of the full marathon, Staff Sgt. Roderick Reeves with the 3rd Infantry Division, Special Troops Battalion, pushing the pace through the finish line was the key to his success.

    "There's no feeling like it, to get past that mile 20 and to finish up strong. I'm sorry to say it, but I was singing the 'Dogface Soldier' song," he said with a smile.

    Eight transition team Soldiers who are partnered with the 4th Iraqi Army Division at Forward Operating Base Dagger completed their own version of the half marathon by running laps around the Iraqi army compound.

    It was Pvt. 1st Class Steven Young's first half marathon.

    "I'm in pain right now, but it was fun," the Beacon, N.Y., native said.

    First Lieutenant Valeria Aquino, a Soldier with the 209th Aviation Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, has a holistic approach to running.

    "It's kind of my release, my therapy; it makes me feel good about myself," the Seattle and Boston Marathon veteran said.

    For Aquino, running the marathon was about setting an example for her Soldiers to follow.

    "It's great to be able to do a marathon in Iraq," she said. "All my Soldiers, they're always cheering me on, and it gives them something to look up to."

    Preparation for the Dragon Marathon began soon after the 4th IBCT arrived at Contingency Operating Base Speicher last fall. The race was sponsored by the Manhattan Running Company in Manhattan, Kan., and shadowed the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Marathon and Half Marathon in Albany, Ga.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.05.2010
    Date Posted: 03.07.2010 02:01
    Story ID: 46270
    Location: TIKRIT, IQ

    Web Views: 236
    Downloads: 193

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