WIESBADEN, Germany - Thousands of feet pounded the pavement in the Wiesbaden Kurpark Sept. 13-14.
More than 100 Wiesbaden military community members were among the scores of athletes of all ages taking part in the annual Wiesbaden 25-Hour Run. The event, hosted by the Wiesbaden Sports Promotion Organization, raises money to help fund the training of future world-class athletes.
"It's my third time doing this," said Sgt. Phillip Curiel, team captain of the Road Hazards. The competitive team, traditionally made up of Wiesbaden Health Clinic members, this year included several U.S. Army Europe runners to help round out the 10-person squad.
With only a handful of runners back from last year and several committed to other events during part of the run, including the annual Wounded Warrior Soldiers Ride, Curiel said he wasn't exactly sure how things would proceed in the early hours of the event on Saturday.
"We only had about six people until 6 p.m. but by the end we had 10 and we were rolling pretty well. Overnight was rough," he said. "It just took a lot of mental and physical power to get through it."
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, 25 hours after the start of the run, the Road Hazards were among the top 10 competitive teams to finish -- a record for an American team over the 10 years that the event has been held -- racking up 355 laps.
Teams range from 10-member "competitive" teams to up to 25-member "fun" teams.
This year some 88 teams, including five from the U.S. military community, joined the charity effort. Two individual runners, Jens Hilpert (back once again) and newcomer Donielle Wolfe, ran the entire 25 hours. Wolfe, who was sponsored by the Andrews Federal Credit Union, took over from her husband, Chris, who flew solo for the past several years.
By the end of the 25 hours Hilpert ran 153 laps (each lap around the park is just shy of a kilometer) and Wolfe finished 128 laps.
During an awards ceremony at the race's conclusion, the top runners and teams were recognized with certificates and prizes. Among those honored were Hilpert, Wolfe and members of the Road Hazards.
"It's a great experience -- great camaraderie -- everyone is incredibly friendly," said Curiel, adding that having a constant flow of fellow runners on the track leading and coming up from behind helps motivate him to keep on going.
Runners can look forward to Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center's five-kilometer Zombie Run Oct. 18. Runners, walkers, strollers and pets on leashes are welcome -- and costumes are encouraged. Registration opens at 7 a.m. at the fitness center for the free event (the first 125 to register get a free T-shirt).
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