California National Guardsmen Ran Marathon in Iraq – Companion event to Long Beach International City Bank Half was held same day as California race

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – Soldiers with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), from Long Beach, Calif., held their own Long Beach International City Bank Half Marathon on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2010 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. The event was held the same day as the full and half marathons that are taking place in Long Beach, Calif.

449 Soldiers and civilians from COB Adder ran in the event, and around 200 Soldiers from Long Beach participated in the event through running, walking or volunteering their time as the hosting unit. The overall male winner was 2nd Lieutenant Jon Anderson, Age 25, won in a time of 1:12:46. The overall female winner was Kalynn Waltrip, Age 22, in a time of 1:26:02

“Being so far away from home, we try to find ways to keep people engaged and participate in functions that bring us closer as a unit. We have so many runners and walkers in our unit as well as on the base, we thought it would be nice to bring a taste of California to Iraq,” said 1st Lt. Evelyn Scott, the event’s coordinator and deputy of base operations with the 224th Special Troops Battalion, 224th Sust. Bde., and a San Diego, Calif., native.

When initially asked to help, event organizer RUN Racing was thrilled to assist. “We were honored to help the brave men and women of the Army National Guard participate and get a bit of home while being away. We hope they all enjoy the race, and most importantly, come home safe and sound after they complete their deployment,” said John Parks, EVP of RUN Racing.

RUN Racing has provided event shirts, goodie bags, medals and banners to the Brigade so help them host their own Long Beach International City Bank Half Marathon event. In addition, prizes have been donated for the winners including two JetBlue round trip airline tickets, courtesy of JetBlue, pairs of Brooks Running Shoes, and several local restaurant gift certificates from Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria, Gladstone’s in Long Beach and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

To acknowledge their involvement, Lieutenant Georgina Rodriguez from the National Guard Brigade was recognized at the Start Line and then also ran the Half Marathon in Long Beach.

The International City Bank Long Beach Marathon events include the Marathon, Half Marathon, Bubba Gump "Run Forrest Run" 5K, 26.2-mile Bike Tour and the Aquarium of the Pacific Kids Run.

More info at www.RunLongBeach.com