Deployed California Army National Guardsmen train for Long Beach Half Marathon to be held in Iraq

Photo By 1st Lt. Nathan Lavy | Soldiers with the 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), from Long Beach, Calif., celebrate after finishing the Virginia 10-Miler July 25 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. The Virginia 10-Miler was organized by the 1st Infantry Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, from Lynchburg, Va., and sponsored by Genworth Financial. The event was held in order to promote health, fitness and camaraderie among all U.S. Forces at COB Adder.  

IRAQ

09.26.2010

Story by 1st Lt. Nathan Lavy 

224th Sustainment Brigade

IRAQ - Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), from Long Beach, Calif., began training in September for the Long Beach Half Marathon that is slated for Oct. 17 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.

The event will be held the same day as the full and half marathons that are scheduled to take place in Long Beach, Calif. The marathon is sponsored by International City Bank (ICB), and race participants will receive t-shirts, medals, goodie bags, race bibs, and raffle prizes.

One soldier, Capt. Ryan Johnson, battle captain with HHC, 224th Sust. Bde., and a Newport Beach, Calif., native, has begun training for the race by running an average of 18 miles per week. Johnson said his goal is to average a 7:30 mile pace for the entire race, and added that his motivation for running is that he loves to run.

“A big thanks goes to the sponsors of the event,” said Johnson.” It’s great they are supporting the Soldiers, both those from California and elsewhere.”

Sgt. Jason Tugmon, a healthcare non-commissioned officer and medic with HHC, 224th Sust. Bde., and a San Dimas, Calif., native, said that he is training for this event by running in every organized run leading up to the event, and that he is doing as much running and physical activity in the gym as his schedule allows.

“In addition, I am staying away from fatty cakes in the dining facility,” said Tugmon. “ My personal goal for the run is to survive and come in around 2.5 hours. My motivation for participating in the event is competing with myself to succeed, and participating in a worthwhile cause with my fellow soldiers.”

• Date Taken: 09.26.2010
• Date Posted: 09.26.2010 09:34
• Story ID: 57000
• Location: IQ