JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
A rhythmic roar composed of 194 pairs of running shoes broke the silence of the spring morning here April 20 as participants of the inaugural Joint Base Andrews Half Marathon began their 13.1-mile trek to victory.
Ranging from novice to more seasoned in experience, the runners represented every military branch stationed in the National Capital Region - enlisted, officer and civilian.
Female racers showed up in full force with Brenda Shrank finishing first overall with a time of 1:24:08. Sandra Griffin took second in the female category at 1:37:57, and Brianna Schmid took third place with a time of 1:39:40.
Kristopher Epps headed up the male category at 1:24:50, followed by Timothy Noonen at 1:25:31, and Louis Navarro finished third with a time of 1:26:03.
The complete list of times is available at
www.racepacket.com/rsltwrap1.php?id=3279.
The race was initiated by the Andrews Chief's Group for the purpose of promoting unity between the various units and services who work here before a schedule of inspections that have often been described as "rigorous" by base leaders.
"Colonel Knight, Colonel Urtso and I were talking about the Marine half marathon," said Chief Master Sgt. William Sanders, 11 Wing/Joint Base Andrews Command Chief, as he described the event's conception. "We'd heard a couple individuals attempted to sign up, but it closed out so early. As the conversation drifted to the heavy inspection cycle coming up, we talked about doing something to bring us all together to kick it off."
Sanders pitched the idea to the Chief's Group, who in typical senior NCO fashion, made it happen. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, the Fisher House, and the Military and Family Readiness Center here.
Despite this being the first race of its kind here, organizers and racers agreed things went well.
"It was a great race," said Master Sgt. Russell Gately, a force management specialist at the Air National Guard Readiness Center here who ran the race. "I have run 21 half marathons, and they had everything covered. I thought it was well attended and they did a great job, organization-wise. I hope the race gets bigger every year."
The Chief's Group and the coordinating committee have taken an armful of lessons-learned as they make plans for next year's race. Details about this year's race and next year's can be found at
http://www.jbamarathon.com/Home_Page.html.