FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- The Immortal Soldiers of A Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, hosted their second annual Immortal Mile Marathon on Thursday.
Participants chose from three events: a full marathon of 26.2 miles, a half marathon of 13.1 miles or a half marathon relay with a team of four.
About 75 willing Soldiers and Family Members decided to test their immortal running endurance on a course that took them from the start at A Company, along Fort Drum roads and wooded trails and back to the company area for a barbecue.
"This is the second annual Immortal Mile. This is something we wanted to do to showcase Alpha Company," said 1st Lt. Michael White, a platoon leader who helped organize the run.
The competition not only tested the runners physically, but it was a team-building event and promoted esprit de corps throughout the unit, White added.
Sgt. Kevin Baxter, a squad leader who came in third place for the half marathon, finished with a time of 1 hour and 49 minutes. Baxter said he has enjoyed the organized runs since being assigned to A Company last year.
"I enjoy running. I've never really run competitively, but I am a regular runner. I love these races. I've done 5Ks (and) 10Ks but this is the longest race I have ever done," he said. "We do a lot of events like this. I think it is pretty cool."
Last year, only about 12 people participated in the run. This year's success is attributed to advertising, recruiting and help from Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers; Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation; Directorate of Emergency Services and Soldiers from other companies.
"We had great coordination with BOSS. They were very supportive; they helped us with all our needs," explained 2nd Lt. Trevor Mitchell, who organized the run. "(FMWR) and DES helped us make sure we were good on our route. And some medics from HHC came to support us also. Help is what allowed us to achieve our goal."
Capt. Ryan David, A Company commander, started the event last summer. He said the run builds confidence in his Soldiers and pushes them to their limits.
"Physical fitness is big in Alpha Company, but more, it is building a resilient Soldier -- someone who is capable of operating under extreme duress," he said. "A marathon is just a method for getting people to understand their limits and how they can push themselves."
Family Members also were encouraged to participate in the run. David said he believes the team concept includes everyone: Soldiers, spouses, brothers, sisters and even pets.
"We want to bring everyone together to feel part of a team," David explained. "We want to bring in people from the other companies to feel they are part of the Polar Bear Nation, and if we can put on an event like this it's even better."
David led the way by completing the full marathon in first place with a time of 3 hours and 59 minutes. To show support, his wife Laura and children, Landon and Harrison, met him a little before the finish line to run in with him.
"It was great. She hates running, and just to have her decide to run the last 300 meters with me was great," he exclaimed.
Spc. Isaac Gonzalez, a rifle team leader for third platoon, ran the half marathon to see if he could do it.
"I just wanted to see how far I could push myself on my first half marathon. I've never ran farther than 10 miles myself," he said. "It just tests where exactly my physical shape is at. I will definitely do it again. I will probably run the full marathon next time."
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