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OKINAWA, Japan - Service members and Status of Forces Agreement personnel stationed on Okinawa participated in a marathon, Oct. 31, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
"This marathon was run to commemorate and complement the 34th annual running of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., as well as to promote camaraderie among active duty and Status of Forces Agreement personnel stationed on Okinawa," said Cpl. Matthew J. Anthony, event coordinator and air freight crew chief with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Participants ran the perimeter of MCAS Futenma a total of five times, said Master Sgt. Shaunta S. Russell, event coordinator and administration chief at Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. The marathon, comprised of rolling hills along the perimeter and a flat stretch along the flight line, was run concurrently with the Marine Corps Marathon.
Due to the inability of many Marines to participate in the time-honored tradition in the Nation’s capital, similar races are run around the world to unify Marines around the globe, said Anthony.
Participants ran the marathon for different reasons, but all had the same goal, which was to finish the race, said Anthony.
"I am running this marathon to prove to myself and others that I can finish it," said Sgt. Christopher Hand, a regimental training non-commissioned officer with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF.
There were others who were running it for the first time, and just wanted to experience it. "I have never run a marathon before," said Seaman Eli C. Rivera, a corpsman with U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa. "I really just wanted to try it out. The only thing that's got me a little worried is running the hills; I think that might be a problem for me."
A total of 171 SOFA personnel ran the race, said Anthony.
Participants were allowed to run the marathon individually or as teams. Running the marathon in five-person teams allowed individuals to team up and accomplish the marathon together, said Anthony.
The runner who placed first in the marathon was 1st Lt. Wesley Tucker finishing with a time of 3:20:01, followed closely by Sgt. Alicia Martinez at 3:22:25. The runner that placed third was Solomon Bullo with a time of 3:30:00, said Anthony.
"As any marathon runner can tell you, it takes years of hard work and dedication to train for 26.2 miles," said Anthony.
This year’s marathon successfully brought together service members and their families, as well as raised money for the squadrons’ Marine Corps Birthday ball. Next year’s marathon is expected to be just as successful, said Anthony.
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2010 06:04 |
| Story ID: | 59799 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 275 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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