Bagram servicemembers compete in Rock'n'Roll Marathon

Courtesy Photo | John Herrick, a forensic photographer with Task Force Paladin at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, crosses the finish line during the sattelite edition of the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, held June 15, 2007. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Patterson)  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

06.18.2007

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

Story by Navy Chief Petty Officer Eric Harrison
43rd Joint Logistics Command Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Thirty-seven men and women stationed here competed in a satellite edition of the 10th annual San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon June 15.
The marathoners braved grueling conditions and an almost two-week delay to its start.

"The race was supposed to be run June 3 to coincide with the marathon in San Diego," said Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman Eduardo Medina, the race organizer. "But [with] operational commitments on the base, it had to be postponed nearly two weeks."

The runners were challenged on the course by high winds, hot temperatures, rocky surfaces, high altitude and being in a war zone to finish the 26.2 mile course.

Medina signed up for the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon back in San Diego as a way to celebrate his 40th birthday, but found himself with orders to Afghanistan. When he looked into the possibility of getting his entry fee back, the organizers suggested that he set up the satellite event here.

"The organizers in San Diego were very accommodating," said Medina, medical operations chief at the 43rd Joint Logistics Command. "They sent us race bibs with "BAF Afghanistan" printed on them, t-shirts for all the participants and they waived the race fee for all the competitors here."
Army Lt. Col. Neil Hersey finished in first place and having completed his sixth marathon, thanked Medina for putting on such a great event.

"It is no small feat to organize and execute an event like this, particularly in this environment, and he did a fantastic job," said Hersey, who is the commander of 1st Military Intelligence Bn. here.

Hersey, who came in at 3:05:52, said he has to make time around the demanding operational tempo at Task Force Condor to train.

"Exercise is an important part of my life; it is how I manage stress, and stay fit to fight," said Hersey. "I did not find an opportunity to fit in a run longer than 10-12 miles prior to doing this marathon. I had to rely on my base fitness and experience from other demanding training that I had been through."

Out of Hersey's six marathons, he counts the Big Sur and the Blue Angels marathons as the most memorable.

"Big Sur was my first marathon, in 1989, and was a particularly challenging, very hilly, yet breathtaking course. The Blue Angel marathon was memorable because it was a personal best for me and I had my father for company along most of the course offering me moral support. I ended up finishing 3rd overall in 2:35."

John Herrick, a forensic photographer at the Combined Explosive Ordnance Command here, competed in his third marathon and said this one takes the cake as the most challenging.

"The altitude made the run very tough; my lungs got quite a workout," said the Twin Cities Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon veteran. "Out of all three, I trained the least for this one, which reflected in my time. The environment made this hard enough, but the lack of training at this altitude is really what made this the most difficult."

Training at Bagram Airfield can be a challenge, with temperatures routinely rising into the mid-to upper-90s during the day, but Herrick was able to dig deep to make it to the finish line in 6:38:07 with the help of two friends who came out to support.

"Even though the heat caught up to me in the last 'lap', I wanted to finish, and was determined to do so. Having two good friends there to help me in the last stretch was just icing on the cake."
Hersey echoed Herrick's appreciation for those who came out to help support the runners.

"Without the support of the volunteers, these events would not be possible."

• Date Taken: 06.18.2007
• Date Posted: 06.20.2007 08:57
• Story ID: 10908
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF