Photo By Sgt. Hubert Delany | A paratrooper with the Black Dagger Parachute Team, descends to the Main Post Parade...... read more read more
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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The powerful roar of conversation and music hovers over a massive collection of athletes gathered behind a starting line in downtown Fayetteville just outside of Fort Bragg, N.C. Announcements usher runners to move forward on the cool morning pavement and the event begins.
Soldiers from Fort Bragg and other military installations, civilians and a mix of volunteers ran the All American Marathon Mar. 26, 2017 through Fayetteville and Fort Bragg, N.C.
The race gathered over 3,700 registrants from all over the country, including hundreds of troops based at Fort Bragg.
Sgt. Henry Johnson, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, finished the Mike-to-Mike Half Marathon shadow race in Kuwait.
“It felt pretty good to be able to actually do it,” Johnson said in a Fayetteville Observer article. “It was like bringing a little piece of home out here.”
The competition offered a full marathon, half marathon and 5K routes. The nonprofit organization, wear blue: run to remember, supported the event by lining a portion of the race with photos of fallen service members and holding flags in honor of the nation’s fallen heroes past and present.
The marathon started at Fayetteville’s Festival Park and allowed the event goers an opportunity to run through the center of the historic portion of the city, passing the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. Finishing at the Fort Bragg Main Post Parade Field, the marathon offered the chance to see some of the landmarks of the Home of Airborne and Special Operations Forces.
At the Main Post Parade Field, music, food and prizes awaited those taking place in the day’s event. Every registered participant was entitled to receive a t-shirt, customized finisher medal and other gifts.
Bruce Newman, a 70-year-old Stella, N.C. resident and Army veteran who served at Fort Bragg, spoke to his feelings of positivity after finishing the race.
“It’s always nice to come back to Fort Bragg,” Newman told the Fayetteville Observer. “There’s an energy about this place that you don’t see at a lot of military installations, so it’s always fun. This is a well-organized, well-supported marathon.”
The All American Marathon has been held since 2014 as a partnership between Fort Bragg’s Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, and the City of Fayetteville. The event is currently sponsored by The United Services Automobile Association, The American Broadcasting Company Channel 11 and other organizations.
| Date Taken: | 04.03.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2017 20:01 |
| Story ID: | 229018 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 231 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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