Runners pass the starting line just as the sun begins to rise at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, Sept. 19. The run proceeds went to benefit Soldier On, a program for injured and disabled Canadian forces. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Jennifer Spradlin, 1...

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - The commitment to fitness doesn't end with an injury and neither does the commitment to the veterans who have served their countries in Afghanistan.

More than 900 participants took part in two concurrent races to benefit Soldier On, a Canadian charity that improves the lives of injured and disabled veterans, at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, Sept. 19.

The Soldier On Fund, a component of the Soldier On Program, is designed to help Canadian servicemembers who have been injured maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

A similar run was being held on the same day in Ottawa, Canada, and attracted more than 14,000 participants. Runners at KAF had the option of participating in the 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) distance or the more challenging half marathon at 21-kilometers (13 miles).

Canadian Brig. Gen. Dean Milner, the new Task Force Kandahar commander, welcomed the runners with a speech before the race. He noted the participation of several different nations and applauded their donations that totaled more than $ 7,000.

"I would like to thank everyone that it is here," said General Milner. "The number of participants is fantastic."

The general previously ran in the same event in Canada and said that he was pleased to see it re-imagined here at KAF. In addition to the cause, he stressed the importance of maintaining good exercise habits while deployed.

"Fitness is paramount. Soldiers need to be fit," said General Milner. "They need to be able to endure; they need to be able to work long hours."

Sport and recreation events held at KAF offer a positive outlet to all Coalition Forces and civilians.

"Races like these give you a chance to get your mind off the mission and the stress of being deployed," said Sgt. Eric Brown, 598th Maintenance Company, out of Fort Benning, Ga. Brown is on his third deployment in eight years. He has been stationed at KAF for four months.

The decision to take part was easy for Brown, who said, "If you can help anybody, then you should do it."

That same spirit is embodied in the mission to help Afghans toward a stable and secure country. The progress, said General Milner, can be seen little by little.

"There are some tremendous things happening here. There are some critical operations coming," said the general. "I'm very optimistic about where things are going. I think we can accomplish a fair bit in the next year."

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