‘GK Runners’ dash through Brussels

Photo By 1st Lt. Richard Longoria | Staff Sgt. Nathan Ortiz, NATO International Military Police, poses for a photo Oct. 6, 2013, in front of the Electrolux Cube in Brussels, prior to competing in a half-marathon. The Tulare, Calif., native, finished the race in 1 hour and 43 minutes. (Courtesy Photo)  

BRUSSELS, BRU, BELGIUM

10.07.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Richard Longoria 

NATO E-3A Component

BRUSSELS - The city of Brussels hosted its annual marathon and half-marathon, an event that www.runabroad.com listed as part of the “101 races to run before you die,” on Oct. 6, 2013.

In 2013, more than 14,000 runners joined in the day’s events, which took place in the center of the Belgian capital. Included in this record number of participants was several members of the E-3A Component.

Ten ‘GK Runners”, a running group, which recently started up at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, made the one and a half hour drive to compete in the half-marathon race.

The ‘GK Runners,’ who completed the 21 kilometer (13.1 mile) race were: Staff Sgt. Daniel Hammonds, NATO Squadron 2; Lt. Col. Patric Wurmbach, NATO Squadron 2; Staff Sgt. Nathan Ortiz, NATO International Military Police; Tech. Sgt. Brandon Hilley, NATO Logistics Wing Electronic Maintenance Squadron; Billielee Hilley, dependent; Master Sgt. Jason Bouchard, NATO Information Technology Wing; Master Sgt. Michael Reimers, NATO Information Technology Wing; Tech. Sgt. Jon Gibson, 470th Medical Group; Master Sgt. Francisco Perez Colon , NATO Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; Korporaal Chef Carlo Lentini, Belgian National Support Unit; and Staff Sgt. Brian Bogue, NATO Squadron 2.

With a time of 1 hour and 34 minutes, Sgt. Hammonds was the first ‘GK Runner’ to cross the finish line at the Grand-Place of Brussels.

Also, two children from the air base, Col. Wurmbach’s sons, Maximilian and Vincent, partook in the Chiquita Kids Run, a one-kilometer dash through the Cinquantenaire, with approximately 600 fellow young, running enthusiasts.

The event was held to raise money for charity, an estimated 150,000 Euros was collected.

While the officially recognized AWACS Runners Clun is in the process of being dissolved, the ‘GK Runners’ are taking part in all major European running events and occasionally meet for group runs. The group is always looking for new running enthusiasts regardless their fitness level. For more information, e-mail [e-mail] or search GK Runners Group on Facebook.

Editor’s Note: Lt. Col. Patric Wurmbach contributed to this article.

• Date Taken: 10.07.2013
• Date Posted: 10.14.2013 08:42
• Story ID: 115122
• Location: BRUSSELS, BRU, BE