Soldiers, families don pirate gear to run final leg of summer 5K race series

Photo By Jennifer Fayson | Runners and walkers who participated in the Aug. 15, 2026, “X Marks the Spot” 5K on Fort Bragg. Aug. 15, 2026, received medals. The pirate-themed run was the last of the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation annual summer 5K race series.  

FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

08.18.2026

Story by Jennifer Fayson 

Fort Bragg Garrison Public Affairs Office

FORT Bragg, N.C.— Approximately 1,400 runners gathered at the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds Saturday morning Aug. 15 to participate in the pirate-themed "X Marks the Spot" 5K. The event served as the finale for the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation annual summer 5K race series.

"It is great to see so many in the community coming out and participating," said Amanda Cahill, special event coordinator for Fort Bragg DFMWR. "We love being able to bring these quality of life and community-wide events to warfighters and their families."

The event brought together a broad representation of the installation, with active-duty Soldiers, parents, children, and even family pets joining the morning run. From tricorn hats and eye patches to inflatable parrot sidekicks, participants of all ages donned creative costumes as they traversed the 3.1-mile course.

• Date Taken: 08.18.2026
• Date Posted: 08.18.2026 13:32
• Story ID: 572668
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US
• Hometown: FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US