Army 10 Miler held at Kandahar Airfield

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Aubree Rundle | As the fog horn was blown, runners from 14 different nations start off the Army 10 Miler "shadow" run at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. More than 900 runners showed up the morning of Oct. 4 to participate in the run. The 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade hosted the run in southern Afghanistan as the Army 10 Miler shadow in Afghanistan.  

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

10.04.2009

Story by Sgt. Aubree Rundle 

82nd Combat Aviation Brigade

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Hours before sunrise more than 900 participants gathered in support of the U.S. Army 10 Miler "shadow" run held on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct 4.

Representatives from 15 different nations arrived in running gear and pace counters to test their abilities.

The 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, currently deployed as the U.S. Army aviation asset in Regional Command-South hosted the race as a "shadow run" to the actual Army 10 Miler held in Washington, D.C., each year.

"I am very thankful to the Army 10 Miler organization for sponsoring this run and allowing the 82nd CAB to bring this prestigious race to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan," said U.S. Army Capt. Abraham Osborn, operations officer and event coordinator, 82nd CAB.

Once the race kicked off an OH-58 Kiowa Warrior Helicopter from the aviation brigade was on site providing aerial surveillance over the route, and according to a number of runners: visual stimulation and motivation.

"The race was exhilarating...between the energy from the other runners, and the Kiowa circling over head— it pretty motivating," said U.S. Army Spc. Virginia Bagby.
Bagby, like many other runners participating in the race, trains for various host nation fitness events held for deployed coalition forces on KAF.

The day before the race U.S. Army Sgt. James Patterson, after posting a message to his family online received multiple motivational and encouraging replies from friends and family in the states.

"During the race I experienced the same encouragement along the route from onlookers and other runners as I did from family and friends back home," said Patterson, command group for 82nd CAB and participant in the race. "The encouragement and the run itself gave me time to reflect on what we are all here for."

With the afghan dust clouding the route across the six to eight mile marker, runners returned across the finish line with powdered eyebrows and hair, but smiles and energy were anything but absent.

After the majority of runners crossed the finish line, the top three male and female runners were recognized and presented a plaque from Brigadier General Ben Hodges, deputy commander for Regional Command-South.

The winner of the race overall was Joseph Boland, Canadian service member finishing the 10 mile race in 58 minutes and 55 seconds.

Empty water bottles filled up trash bins and the crowd depleted into the morning to continue on with the mission in southern Afghanistan.

"It was great to see so many people... I really felt a sense of camaraderie," said Lt. Michael Carlson, 82nd CAB and participant in the run.

• Date Taken: 10.04.2009
• Date Posted: 10.06.2009 03:48
• Story ID: 39723
• Location: KANDAHAR, AF