ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Military family member Carol Kemnitz, 78, of Palmdale, California, participated in APG’s sixth annual Run to Honor 5K race on April 5, 2025, as part of her goal to run a 5K road race in all 50 U.S. states.
APG hosts Run to Honor annually to support the surviving family members of fallen service members. Participants of all ages and fitness levels participated in the run, with more than 300 people in attendance and more than 100 virtual runners. The APG course includes the Living Legacy Forest, located on Plumb Point Loop, which provides a serene place for people to reflect on their loved ones.
“It is important to keep their memory alive,” she said about the fallen service members.
Kemnitz has participated in 42 states so far and has 8 more states to go. She plans on achieving her goal this year. Several years ago, Kemnitz decided to run a 5K road race in all 50 states because she was going through a challenging time and wanted to work towards a goal “to find a purpose in life” and maintain a positive mindset.
“You have to think about what you do have, you have to think about what your final purpose will be,” she said.
Kemnitz said members of her local senior group are often surprised when they hear about her solo travels.
“You do what you have to do,” she said matter-of-factly.
Kemnitz said she chose to participate in Run to Honor due to her schedule, as she planned to compete in the Delaware Running Festival in Wilmington, Delaware the following day. She was also happy to have the opportunity to support the families of fallen service members, as her late husband and two sons served in the military.
Kemnitz said she was proud to receive a medal for placing first place among women ages 70 and older with a time of 37:02. She also appreciated meeting members of the APG community and especially enjoyed seeing the children participating with their families.
“I used to run with granddaughter, who turned 35 today,” Kemnitz said, smiling.
Inspiration from family members
Kemnitz began running in road races in 1993, at the encouragement of her son Rick, who proclaimed she was out of shape after he came home from Army Basic Training. They started exercising together, and eventually, she began participating in runs.
“Every time he was home on leave, we would do a run together, we would hold our hands in the air as we crossed the finish line,” Kemnitz said.
Because her son inspired her to get fit, after completing the APG 5K, she dedicated the race to her son and wrote “Be All You Can Be” and his name on a Run to Honor poster.
“Without my son, because I am a Cheez-It and potato chip person, like I am madly in love with them, I know it would not be healthy,” she said.
Kemnitz, who keeps detailed records and photos of all her races, said she has completed approximately 187 so far.
“I would like to write a book someday,” she said.
More goals
Kemnitz will represent California for the sixth time this summer by running in the National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa. This biennial, Olympic-style multi-sport event is for participants ages 50 and up. In two years, her son’s goal is to participate with her.
“To cross the National Senior Games line holding hands, whether we place or not, that would be awesome,” she said.
Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator Michael Farlow, with Army Community Service, expressed gratitude to Kemnitz for her participation.
“I am honored that Ms. Carol Kemnitz selected the APG Run to Honor as her Maryland run as part of her 50-state running goal this year,” Farlow said. “Her dedication and commitment to fly from California to stand beside the surviving family members of our fallen service members on this special day is a true testament to her dedication.”
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For more photos, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/usagapg/albums/72177720325078296
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