FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov.4 2015) -- In the first Panther 10-Miler, Command Sgt. Maj. Marty Angulo, 199th Infantry Brigade command sergeant major, took first place with a time of 1 hour, two minutes and 09 seconds.
The race began just after 8 a.m. Oct. 31 with a gunfire start at Russ Pond. Competitive runners were at the front of the pack, and participants of a 10-mile ruck lined up toward the back. Shortly after they began, kids ran a mile of their own in a fun run.
The 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment put on the Panther 10-Miler to instill confidence and camaraderie for Soldiers in the battalion, but then opened it up to other units on post.
"We decided to open it up to other units on post to see if they wanted to join us, and it's kind of grown, because now we have a lot of people from all around post here," said Lt. Col. Duane Patin, commander of 2nd Bn., 47th Inf. Regt.
A total of 75 runners competed in the 10-miler and 28 participated in the ruck march.
In second place was Lt. Col. Allen Leth, Maneuver Center of Excellence Commander's Action Group, with a time of 1:03:04 and in third place was Patin with a total time of 1:03:17.
The youngest runner, 12-year-old John Tyler Cushing, ran the 10 miles with his dad, 199th Infantry Brigade Commander Col. John Cushing. The two finished less than a minute apart, with Cushing finishing the race at 1:23:53 and his son finishing with a time of 1:24:04.
Participating units included a team with the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade; 1st Battalion, 46th Regiment; 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment and others.
Participants began the 10-mile run and ruck at the intersection of the 10th Division Road and the driveway to Russ Pond. They continued to the River Walk, turned around at five miles and ended the run back at the starting point. It was a chip-timed event.
Patin said the race instills camaraderie and confidence in participants and gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy their Saturday with fellow Soldiers, their Families and community members.
A race clock and water station was placed at every mile to aid in keeping participants' times.
Benning Martin Army Community Hospital and 14th Combat Support Hospital provided medics for the event, 1st Battalion, 81st Armor Regiment and 316th Cavalry Regiment provided volunteers, and there were several sponsors of the event.
Staff Sgt. Derek Smith, C Company, 1st Bn., 50th Inf. Regt., said he was a better rucker than runner, although he had participated in running events in the past. He saw it as a way to get in the community and participate alongside Soldiers and community members.
"I'm new here - I just PCSd from Fort Riley, (Kansas), so I figured I'd do it," Smith said.
Smith came in with a ruck time of 2:06:18.52.
The top finishers won a trophy, the top three in every age group won medals and the children in the fun run received medals as well.
Patin said he hoped participants left with a sense of accomplishment and that they enjoyed the race.
A complete list of winners and their times can be found at www.lightningsportsracing.com.
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