Deployed Virginia National Guard Soldiers compete in Boston Marathon on Adder

Courtesy Photo | Virginia National Guard Soldiers Spc. Solomon Zemene, a B Company vehicle driver, Spc. Eskinder Zemene, a B Co. gunner and Sgt. Timothy Williams, a B Co. convoy truck commander, participate in an officially-sanctioned Boston Marathon at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. The Soldiers are currently deployed with 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt Patrick Wilson)  

CONTINGENCY OUTPOST BASE ADDER, IRAQ

05.12.2010

Courtesy Story

256th Brigade Combat Team, Louisiana Army National Guard

By 1st Lt. Patrick Wilson

COB ADDER, Iraq – Three Soldiers currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from1st Battalion 116th Infantry Regiment, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), headquartered in Lynchburg, Va., took part in an official Boston Marathon race at Contingency Operating Base Adder on April 19.

The 26.2-mile route took the runners past the Ziggurat of Ur, a 4,000-year-old monument near the perimeter of the base in southern Iraq. Nearly 100 volunteers helped with the race, which was hosted by Adder's garrison command.

A total of 296 runners completed the race, which included those who ran a half marathon and those who competed as part of teams. The 1-116th was represented by brothers, Spcs. Eskinder and Solomon Zemene of Alexandria, Va., and Sgt. Timothy Williams of Sterling, Va., all are assigned to the battalion's B Company and attend North Virginia Community College.

"It's a great accomplishment for these Soldiers and we are very proud of the way they represented 'Bravo' Company and the entire battalion," said Capt. Heath Phillips of Elkton, Va., B Co. commander. "Williams is the consummate infantryman and just crazy enough to try something like that . . . and it does inspire our Troops."

Solomon Zemene, a convoy vehicle driver, topped the field in his age group by finishing in a very respectable 3 hours and 36 minutes. His brother Eskinder, a convoy gunner, came in not far behind at just nine seconds over the four-hour mark.

Williams, who is deployed as a convoy truck commander, had a different goal in mind when he decided to enter the race event.

"I wanted to do something out of the ordinary," explained Williams. "As a noncommissioned officer, I know we have to lead the way and set an example."

Williams completed the entire 26.2-mile course carrying his loaded assault pack and standard issue M4 rifle, the only participant to do so.

The annual event, first run at COB Adder in 2005, is officially sanctioned by the Boston Athletic Association. All participants in Iraq receive official race jerseys, identical to those worn by runners in Boston, and medals for finishers.

The Soldiers reportedly also received a certificate from the BAA for an automatic entry in a future Boston Marathon. Entries are quite competitive and all other participants must submit qualifying times from other sanctioned marathons.

Williams indicated that he doesn't think he will make the trip to Boston next year, but the Zemene brothers both expressed excitement at the prospect of running in the regular event in 2011.

• Date Taken: 05.12.2010
• Date Posted: 05.12.2010 17:12
• Story ID: 49558
• Location: CONTINGENCY OUTPOST BASE ADDER, IQ