ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. - The Directorate of Community and Family Activities held the 28th running of Making Tracks April 2. For the second year, the event included a duathlon consisting of two 5K runs and a 17K bike leg.
In an opening ceremony, Anniston Army Depot Commander Col. Timothy Sullivan welcomed the runners to the depot. Morey Gaddy sang an inspiring rendition of our national anthem and Earl Montgomery gave the invocation.
There were 188 runners in the 5K and the duathlon had 33 individual competitors and two relay teams. Eight runners participated in the 1K kids run.
The weather was perfect - sunny with a temperature in the mid 50s and light winds for the 8 a.m. start.
A large crowd of family and friends lent an air of excitement to the day as they cheered on their favorite participants. Longtime runner Wilburn Smallwood (87) of Anniston was on hand for the 5K and finished in 47:59. Smallwood is a World War II veteran who helped "storm the beaches at Normandy," as well as a depot retiree with over 30 years of service. He is a great American and a true patriot. Smallwood was given special recognition by Sullivan during the awards ceremony.
Two female runners set state age group records. Brooke Nelson (52) of Munford had a time of 21:50 and broke the old record by 23 seconds. Yo Setser (74) of Weaver set a record with her time of 32:03, shattering the old mark of 33:11.
Overall winners in the 5K were Haley Long (female) with a time of 21:25 and Matthew Brick (male) with a time of 16:14. The overall winners in the duathlon were Nicole Dieckow (female) in a time of 1:26:06 and Norman Stiegler (male) in a time of 1:16:13. The top relay team was Joseph Hedgepath and Clell Adams with a time of 1:20:18.
DCFA thanks all sponsors of the event: AOD Federal Credit Union and BAE Systems (Both were title sponsors), Robbins Gioia AFGE Local 1945, Honeywell, American Red Cross, Coca Cola, Association of the United States Army, Cici's Pizza, Winn Dixie, Jack's, Wig's Wheels, Dick's Sporting Goods and Five Star Food Service. The use, distribution and/or mention of the commercial co-sponsors' names, trademark, or logo by the U.S. Army does not express or imply an endorsement.
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