By Pfc. Stephen C. Benson
Marines Special Operations Command
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – As Salt-N-Pepa's classic hip hop anthem, "Push it" blares from the speakers of Marine Corps Community Service's Semper Fit Mobile Training Unit Van, a large digital timer ticks away to 16 minutes and 30 seconds. Suddenly, a lone runner headed for the finish line appears around the bend crossing the finish line with a look of relief and exhaustion. He has won the latest five-kilometer MCCS Fun Run in 17 minutes flat - a poor performance by his standards.
Lance Cpl. Kevin Donnelly, unit diary chief, Marine Special Operations Support Group, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, has won the last seven MCCS-sponsored races and followed it by being the first runner to cross the finish line at the Combined Federal Campaign race, Oct. 17.
But even with his success, Donnelly remains humble about his running abilities. After winning several of his first races, he would simply continue to run past the finish line and straight back to the office where he works.
"If you want to see the guy who always wins, then you better try to stop him when he crosses the finish line," said one MCCS employee who supervised the most recent race. "He always keeps running right past and doesn't collect his prize."
The awards for winning these races usually consist of MCCS tee shirts and mugs, as well as rubber bracelets. Donnelly believes it is not really about the prizes.
"I love running and have since high school," said Donnelly. "I do the races for fun and to help gauge my current speed."
Donnelly trains extensively on his own to maintain and improve upon his skills as a runner, often having to work around his responsibilities at work. As a Marine, he is well aware of the importance of physical fitness.
"I will usually train two or three times a day, incorporating running, swimming and lifting," explains Donnelly. "I like to be able to run about 60 miles each week."
Within MARSOC's Personnel Administration Center where Donnelly works, the news of his many victories is well known.
"Donnelly's abilities and physical talents create a desire amongst the Marines in our shop to physically train more and with more intensity," said Lance Cpl. John Radan, service record book chief, who works closely with Donnelly. "His success has had a motivating effect on everyone in the office."
The work Donnelly puts in pays off in perfect scores on his Marine Corps Physical Fitness Tests and his first-place finishes in races, but Donnelly has not become complacent. He is currently trying to lower his three-mile run time to 15 minutes and 30 seconds. He says he has enjoyed the streak of wins in all of his races and hopes to keep it up.