COB Adder runs with Boston

Photo By Pfc. Khori Johnson | About 400 members of the Contingency Operating Base Adder community drenched the streets with sweat as they participated in the post's own version of the Boston Marathon April 18. The event was sanctioned by the Boston Athletic Association, so all participants that completed the race can have an opportunity to participate in the official Boston Marathon next year, said Sgt. Shondra Usher, garrison Morale, Welfare and Recreation non-commissioned officer in charge, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division.  

AN NASIRIYAH, IRAQ

04.18.2010

Story by Pfc. Khori Johnson 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - About 400 members of the Contingency Operating Base Adder community drenched the streets with sweat as they participated in the post's own version of the Boston Marathon April 18.

The event was sanctioned by the Boston Athletic Association, so all participants that completed the race can have an opportunity to participate in the official Boston Marathon next year, said Sgt. Shondra Usher, garrison Morale, Welfare and Recreation non-commissioned officer in charge, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division.

Since the marathon was open to everyone, the crowd of runners consisted of civilians, Iraqis and different branches of military service.

"That made a difference for me, because I felt like I was representing the 3rd BCT in a sense," said Maj. John Lim of San Antonio, Texas, brigade chaplain, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. "I had a fantastic time."

The race began in front of the House of Pain Gym on COB Adder at 4 a.m. In order to be eligible for next year's official Boston Marathon next year, runners had to complete the marathon in less than seven hours. About 400 runners started the 26.2-mile marathon, about 200 runners finished within the required qualification time.

Everyone that completed the full marathon received a medal, lapel pin and a runner's shirt at the finish line.

The runners who placed were awarded during a ceremony after the race. First, second and third place awards were given amongst the different divisions, which were separated by age and gender.

The overall first place runner in the men's division was Sgt. Derek Miller of Hummlestown, Pa., Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, who finished the marathon in 3 hours, 1 minute. The overall first place runner in the women's division was Spc. Janelle Drennan of Denver, Colo., all source intelligence analyst, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, who finished in 3 hours, 40 minutes and 9 seconds.

At the end of the ceremony, every runner received a qualifier's certificate that signifying they are eligible to run in the official Boston Marathon.

• Date Taken: 04.18.2010
• Date Posted: 05.09.2010 06:59
• Story ID: 49346
• Location: AN NASIRIYAH, IQ