CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Third Army hosted a Navy Birthday 5K run/walk here, Oct. 13.
During the event, hundreds of service members and civilians came together to run/walk in celebration of the U.S. Navy’s 236th birthday.
“Today illustrates an outstanding joint effort between sailors, soldiers, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen,” said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Harper, a facility maintenance officer with the Theater Field Confinement Facility and a Hillsboro, Ore., native. “This 5K brought us together and showed recognition to the finest Navy in the world.”
Since its creation in 1775, the U.S. Navy has been filling vital maritime requirements, including counter-piracy efforts and many missions in support of overseas contingency operations.
Harper said the run encouraged him and his fellow Sailors to push their bodies to their full potential, while also motivating them to stay fully mission capable while serving overseas.
“We pushed ourselves to the max today,” Harper said. “It makes me feel proud to be a Sailor and part of the Third Army team.”
Staff Sgt. Long Tran, biomedical and container management non-commissioned officer, 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support) finished the 5K first with a time of 17 minutes, 26 seconds.
The run/walk not only brought out seasoned runners like Tran, but also service members and civilians looking to improve their physical readiness.
“Today’s run was my first 5K,” said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Anita Carlene Robinson, master-at-arms with the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group and an Anderson, S.C. native. “It went absolutely fantastic, as I’ve wanted to get back into running and this was a great way to start.”
Robinson said even though it was the Navy’s birthday, all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces worked together to motivate each other to finish the race while giving it their all.
“This 5K really helped build camaraderie amongst all the branches here,” Robinson said. “I really look forward to the next opportunity to run with my fellow service members.”
Third Army’s commitment to the well-being of its service members remains a priority. Through events like the Navy Birthday 5K run/walk, Third Army is honoring the U.S. Navy’s 236 years of achievement while keeping troops physically fit to sustain the fight and shape the future.