309th MI Bn. run brings community together

By Natalie LakosilMarch 6, 2015

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2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Erich Spragg, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion, and Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Roman watch as Staff Sgt. Greg Paris, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion, receives his award from his daughters Madisyn, 4, a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Despite strong winds on Saturday morning, more than 190 racers came out to participate in the 309th Military Intelligence Battalion Sentinel Pursuit, an 8-mile run.

The race began at 8:05 a.m. with a seemingly eager crowd in front of the 309th MI Bn. on Bissel Avenue. The clock started and the pack broke out, running towards Libby Army Air Field and back down to Brainard Road before eventually looping back to the starting point.

Maj. T.J. Fearnow, S3, 309th MI Bn. said the run was important because, "number one, it's just about bringing the community together, that's absolutely important. It gives the opportunity to do family fitness and just maintaining health and readiness overall, and it's a good time so it's an absolute blast."

Pvt. Brendan Jones, 305th MI Bn., said he participated in his first race on Saturday, "to benefit myself, self improvement."

Other participants were there to support their battalion. Sgt. 1st Class Helen Milam, Bravo Company, 309th M.I. Bn., said, "this is our battalion event and our Soldiers are running it, so we're running it."

This is the third annual run and each year the event has grown, this year having 196 registered runners. "It was started to promote fitness and wellness through running and also to bring camaraderie among the military, all the different battalions and units that are on Fort Huachuca as well as the Sierra Vista community," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Marcos Rico, 309th M.I. Bn.

"This event is to promote health and fitness and also is a tool to kick … smoking which is one of the priorities for the commanding general, General (Robert) Ashley," Rico said. "[It also gives] the Sierra Vista population and military a chance to work together and enjoy different activities together and this is one of the activities that is bringing the population from the public, civilians and the military altogether along with retires and their family members as a family event."

The first-place runner finished the race in 30 minutes and 26 seconds, Maj. Brian Hayes, 305th M.I. Bn. Hayes ran the event last year and came in second place so he came out to redeem himself.

"It's always good to come out and win; my goal was to go under 30 minutes today but the wind unfortunately prevented that. I came in about 30:30. I'm always excited to come out and win a race, great event," he said.

Hayes runs every day for training, runs the local races, and additionally has been on Fort Huachuca's Army-10 miler team the past three years. He coached the 10-miler team last year.

"I like to come out to these events as a training event and also to scout out some new talent for this year's 10-miler team. We will be running out in D.C. on October 11. The first of the timed trials for the 10-miler team are going to be May 2 here on post so I am encouraging everybody to come out for the 10-miler team tryouts. [In order to qualify for the tryouts, a person has] to be an active duty Service member, stationed here on October 11. Everyone [who meets that requirement] is welcome to come out and try out," Hayes added.

Another medal winner, Retired Col. Dianne Philp from Texas, decided to join at the last minute after finding out about the race while visiting her daughter and fiancé. "I usually train running so I thought, 'heck, I'll get my long run in while I'm here,'" said Philp.

"It is important to support the troops and help out in any way we can and to boost morale. And I figure if I can do it, anyone can do it," she added. Philp placed first in her age category, female 60-69, finishing in 50 minutes flat.