Subscribe
U.S. Army Spc. Jonathan T. Allen
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan– A Soldier has started up a running club on a forward operating base in Afghanistan in defiance of almost-daily enemy rocket attacks. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Shelby, a counterintelligence agent with Company B, Task Force Dark Knight, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, TF Falcon, formed the club at FOB Salerno, and naturally named it "The Rocket City Run Club."
"I would run outside on my own and see others out running who had bad form or looked like they were really struggling to keep themselves going," said Shelby, from Euless, Texas. "I figured I could start up a club to help positively motivate people to get into better shape. There are always a lot of people out running, and I feel that there would be even more people out there if they just had a friendly group of people to run with."
After only a few weeks in existence, the Rocket City Run Club has taken off. Now there are more than 40 people participating in the different running groups offered by the club.
"I really enjoy running with the club," said U.S. Army Spc. Ely Cartagena, B Company, TF Dark Knight, from Orlando, Fla. "Half of the enjoyment comes from knowing that I'm getting in better shape; the other half is from the people who I run with."
The Rocket City Run Club is intended for participants of all running abilities. It does not matter if a person can run 10 miles or if he can run one mile; or if the person is in the military or if he is a civilian contractor working on the base. Everyone is welcome to run, and the club offers various meeting times and running groups to try and meet every participant's specific need.
"I want to get everyone in the club to be able to run at least a half marathon when they return home," said Shelby. "All that it takes is a little bit of time and effort every other day. After a few months, most people will have no problem with running a half marathon, which is a little [more than] 13 miles."
In order to help spread the word about the run club as well as ensure continued support and motivation from current participants, Shelby created Rocket City Run Club T-shirt stencils to make homemade club shirts. The stencils have slogans such as, "Running Under Fire-Rocket City Run Club." Also, the club logo, "RC," can be found on various signs located throughout FOB Salerno.
"Running makes me fit to fight," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Harry McAllister, a supply sergeant from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, TF Dark Knight, and a native of Knoxville, Tenn.
Shelby has plans to open a gym with his wife when he returns to his home in Euless, Texas after his deployment. The run club is an opportunity to practice organizing recreational activities so that he can do it better when he begins operating his own gym.
According to Shelby, the Rocket City Run Club is not going away when he returns home.
"There is already someone who plans on taking over the club when my deployment ends," said Shelby. "By the way it looks, this club is only going to get bigger and better as more people find out about it."
There is also a sister chapter of the club in the works to be opened in San Antonio, under the same name in order for people in the United States to help support those who are serving our country here.
"I support the Rocket City Run Club," said U.S. Army Sgt. Damian Rodriguez, B Company, TF Dark Knight, from Austin, Texas, "It's a great way to network and meet friends, and stay fit, too."
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2010 01:55 |
| Story ID: | 50210 |
| Location: | KHOST PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 374 |
| Downloads: | 258 |
This work, Task Force Dark Knight Soldier starts grassroots run club, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
