JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott proved he could keep up with a group of United States Marines as he participated in a Fartlek run around the National Mall in the pre-dawn hours of June 12.
Runners vary their pace during Fartlek runs, slowing down, speeding up and going at a moderate pace in order to increase endurance. The group took a leisurely first lap around the Mall and gradually amped up their speed during laps two, three and four. In between laps, they paused briefly to stretch, do sit-ups, pushups and other exercises.
The Marines, from Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall and Walter Reed National Medical Center, were all smiles as they exercised with the Aussie leader.
"I want to thank you and congratulate you for your service to the United States of America and also for your service to the free world and to free people everywhere," Abbott, who is a triathlete, told the Marines at the end of the 40-minute workout. "I am very proud, very, very proud, to be associated with you this morning."
Wounded Marine Cpl. Rebecca Fletcher and other injured service members used hand cycles to participate in the event. Fletcher lost her right leg in a motorcycle accident last year.
"It's all about your story," said Fletcher. "You have a story up to when you're injured and you have a story after you're injured."
Fletcher said the event was especially poignant because her Australian grandmother recently passed away.
"I'm dedicating this to her," she said as she looked up to the sky.
Lt. Col. Jennifer Anthis, officer-in-charge of Wounded Warrior Battalion East at Walter Reed National Medical Center, said participating in events like the run with Abbott boosts the morale of injured servicemembers and helps them recover.
"This has been a great event," she added.
The run with the Marines was part of Abbott's official visit to Washington, D.C. While here, he also met with President Barack Obama.
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