140 take on Top of the Rock

By Bob Mathews, Fort Stewart Family and MWR MarketingOctober 1, 2010

140 take on Top of the Rock
Sergeant William Morgan (center), wearing number 6568, was among the pacesetters in the early going of the 2010 Top of the Rock 5K competition, Sept. 25. Sergeant Morgan, with a time of 17:52, finished first in the overall individual competition in t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - The 2010 Top of the Rock Run, staged under bright, sunny skies and warm temperatures at the Quick Track near Newman Fitness Center, attracted more than 140 runners - some serious contenders, some making it a Family morning, and some there just to do what they love - to run, Sept. 25.

With the Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield population thinned by deployments, early registration indicated that the number of participants might reach only about 75.

But Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation planners prepared for that number to grow, and the race came off without a hitch when the ranks of the runners filled in with race-day registrations.

At morning's end, registration figures showed 81 competed in the 10K 2010 Top of the Rock event, and 62 completed the event's 5K run.

The event ended with lots of smiles, lots of camaraderie and lots of pride as the competitors assembled for presentation of trophies by Col. Kevin Milton, garrison commander, and Command Sergeant Major James E. Ervin, garrison command sergeant major.

During the races, spectators gathered at the finish line on Sixth Avenue, waiting for Family Members, friends or other competitors to complete the 5K and 10K runs. Runners were greeted with cheers and encouragement as they crossed the finish line.

Among those at the finish line were Bianca Smith and her brother, Alex, who said they were waiting for Mom, Dad and their brother to complete the race. E-8 Kent Smith, Yvonne Smith and Kent Smith, Jr. competed in the 10K race.

Rashaan Jackson pushed his daughter Riley, 2, in a stroller as he completed the 5K run in support of his wife, Maj. Ratasha Jackson, who is deployed. He was one of a number of spouses pushing strollers in the popular annual event.

Sergeant William Morgan, 226th Quartermaster Company, finished first in the overall individual competition in the 5K race with a time of 17:52. He won top individual honors in the 10K Run in 2009 Top of the Rock Event.

"I came out here to do my best, and today my best was good enough," said Sgt. Morgan, a member of Stewart-Hunter's Army Ten-miler Team.

Staff Sergeant Roderick Reeves, Division Special Troops Battalion, finished tops in the 10K individual competition with a time of 35:50.

The winning team was the 530th Engineer Company, with a combined time of 46:02. Team members were Sgt. 1st Class Mark Andrews, 2nd Lt. David Moore, 1st Lt. Jason Maltby, Sgt. Wesley Silver, Spc. Brandon Stressman, Spc. Benjamin Smith, Pfc. Michael Jones, Spc. Robert Bartholdson, Pvt. James Estes, Pfc. Joseph Dileo, Pfc. Travis Gleaves, Sgt. Paul Sin and Spc. Corey Nix.

Before the start of the 5K run, Stephanie Brown, wife of 1st Sgt. Chad Brown of Company D, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, went through a series of stretching exercises to prepare.

"I'm just running," she said, smiling.

The Top of the Rock was a Family event for Staff Sgt. David Kelly, his wife, Jennifer, and daughters Gabbrielle, 17, and Katie, 19. They ran in the 5K race.

"I've just gotten back from being deployed to Iraq," said Staff Sgt. Kelly. "I'll be going off to school soon, so we are trying to do everything we can as a Family in the meantime.

Staff Sergeant Kelley is a Soldier with the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

"This was great, we really enjoyed [the run]. This is the first time we've done this as a Family."

Among those at the finish line were Bianca Smith and her brother, Alex, who said they were waiting for Mom, Dad and their brother to complete the race. Master Sergeant Kent Smith, Yvonne Smith and Kent Smith, Jr. competed in the 10K race.

Rashaan Jackson pushed his daughter Riley, 2, in a stroller as he completed the 5K run in support of his wife, Maj. Ratasha Jackson, who is deployed. He was one of a number of spouses pushing strollers in the popular annual event.

Sergeant William Morgan, 226th Quartermaster Company, finished first in the overall individual competition in the 5K race with a time of 17:52. He won top individual honors in the 10K Run in 2009 Top of the Rock Event.

"I came out here to do my best, and today my best was good enough," said Sgt. Morgan, also a member of Stewart-Hunter's Army Ten-Miler Team.

Staff Sergeant Roderick Reeves, Division Special Troops Battalion, finished tops in the 10K individual competition with a time of 35:50.

The winning team was the 530th Engineer Company, with a combined time of 46:02. Team members were Sgt. 1st Class Mark Andrews, 2nd Lt. David Moore, 1st Lt. Jason Maltby, Sgt. Wesley Silver, Spc. Brandon Stressman, Spc. Benjamin Smith, Pfc. Michael Jones, Spc. Robert Bartholdson, Pvt. James Estes, Pfc. Joseph Dileo, Pfc. Travis Gleaves, Sgt. Paul Sin and Spc. Corey Nix.

Before the start of the 5K run, Stephanie Brown, wife of 1st Sgt. Chad Brown of Company D, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, went through a series of stretching exercises to prepare.

"I'm just running," she said, smiling.

The Top of the Rock was a Family event for Staff Sgt. David Kelly, his wife, Jennifer, and daughters Gabbrielle, 17, and Katie, 19. They ran in the 5K race.

"I've just gotten back from being deployed to Iraq," said Staff Sgt. Kelly. "I'll be going off to school soon, so we are trying to do everything we can as a Family in the meantime.

Staff Sergeant Kelley is a Soldier with the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

"This was great, we really enjoyed [the run]. This is the first time we've done this as a Family."