FORT SILL, Okla. (June 9, 2017) -- About 240 runners participated in the 38th Annual Diamond Brigade's half-marathon, and 5K color dash June 3, that began behind the 75th Field Artillery Brigade Headquarters here. It was the culminating event for Diamond Week, a week of sports challenges for the brigade.
The run served as a community family event, as well as a cohesive team building event for the brigade, said Col. Nathan Cook, 75th FAB commander.
"This is absolutely fantastic," said Cook, who ran the 5K. "We have people registered from as far away as Fort Worth (Texas) for the race."
The half-marathon began at 7 a.m. with 88 runners, said Capt. Christian Kolbe, 75th FAB planner and senior action officer for the run. The route took them from the brigade HQ west toward Mow-Way Road and the west ranges and back for a total of 13.1 miles.
Less than 90 minutes later, the first runners were at the finish line, where 75th FAB Soldiers presented them with medals that featured the brigade logo.
At 9 a.m. the color dash began and it drew families of runners, joggers, walkers with baby strollers, and dog walkers.
Soldiers at various stations in the race tossed colored powered chalk at the runners, adorning their once-white race T-shirts with splashes of color. By race end hues of green, orange, blue, red and purple covered runners' shirts, and faces, too.
Kolbe said the 75th FAB regularly promotes events like this for the community, Soldiers, and their families. "It's a great opportunity to promote health and fitness, as well as to come out just have a good time," he said.
Retired 1st Sgt. Sergio Llamas said it was the first time he did the Diamond Brigade run, although he has run other half marathons here and in Oklahoma City.
"There were a lot of hills," Llamas said. "Compared to my other races, I never drank so much water."
It was the second time Spc. Ethan Woods, A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery, ran in a color dash.
"I came out to support my brigade, my battalion," Woods said. "My first sergeant is out here, and a few other section chiefs are out here."
The run was pretty good, he said. "It was a nice route and the colors were cool," said Woods, who had remnants of neon green chalk in one of his ears.
There were several 75th FAB vehicles on display at locations on the run routes. They highlighted the brigade's Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) missions, Kolbe said.
VOLUNTEERS
About 140 Soldier volunteers from throughout the "Tough as Diamonds" Brigade helped support the run, Kolbe said.
They manned water and aid stations throughout the two runs, directed runners, helped operate the inflatable bounce house and obstacle course for children, set up the display rocket launchers, and worked the award ceremony after the race, the captain said.
"They've been out here since 4 o'clock this morning, and have given up most of their Saturday," Kolbe said.
COMMUNITY SPONSORS
Numerous sponsors helped make the event a success, said Logan Ralston, Fort Sill Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Commercial Sponsorship and Advertising account executive.
Country Mart provided fruits and water for runners. TownSquare Media had been promoting the event with radio public service announcements for weeks and its K-LAW radio did a remote broadcast from the run, he said. Other sponsors included Fort Sill Federal Credit Union, Corvias Military Living, Fort Sill National Bank, U.S. Patriot Tactical, and USAA insurance.
Without sponsorship money, this event might still happen, but it wouldn't operate at the high quality it does for the community, Ralston said.
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