FORT BENNING, Ga. - Come out to support Fort Benning's finest Memorial Day weekend.
Runners are gearing up for the 3rd annual Run For The Heroes to benefit the Columbus-based House of Heroes.
Ten military relay teams are signed up to run, with seven coming from Fort Benning.
"We're stoked, we're in the planning phase now, working out logistics and food," said the Zombie Parachutist's 2nd Lt. Katie Jones, of 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment. "The best part is seeing the fans. Having them out there cheering for you makes you less tired."
Teams will have 42 continuous hours to complete the run, with each runner completing 34 miles in a series of 5-to -7 mile legs. Mark Millen, an airman from Mississippi, is returning as the lone active-duty military entry in the individual event - a five-day staged race with runners covering 45 to 60 miles each day. He attempted the run last year but didn't finish. Abigail Meadows, of Tennessee, is the lone military spouse entered in the individual run.
Race organizers said they've raised a little more than half of their $75,000 goal. The money will be donated to the House of Heroes to cover the cost of repairing homes in the tricommunity.
Since 2000, the nonprofit organization has repaired the homes of more than 400 elderly or disabled military and public safety veterans and their spouses in the local area.
Typical repair costs for each home range between $1,200 and $1,500.
Interested donors can still contribute through the race website or House of Heroes.
Run For The Heroes began in 2009 as a collaborative effort between local ultra-marathoner and construction company owner John Teeples and House of Heroes. To date, the run has helped draw up $100,000 in donations.
The 260-mile race across Georgia will begin at 4 a.m. Wednesday at the National Infantry Museum. The run will have staggered start times and all participants have until 10 p.m. May 29 to cross the finish line at Emmet Park in downtown Savannah, Ga. A post-race party will be held near the city's Vietnam Memorial.
For more information or to download race guides, visit www.runfortheheroes.com. For more information on House of Heroes, visit www.houseofheroes.org.
Fort Benning Relay Teams:
198th Brave & Bold
Unit: 198th Infantry Brigade and 2nd Battalion, 330th Infantry Regiment
3 & 1/2 Men
Unit: 199th Infantry Brigade
Bulls on Parade
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
Young Dirty Paratroopers
Unit: E Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Zombie Parachutists
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment; MCoE Headquarters.
Rowdy Pickles
Unit: Columbus State ROTC; HHC, 75th Ranger Regiment; 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment
Team Sua Sponte
Unit: Unavailable at press time
Related Links:
Want to help' Donate to House of Heroes
Download race guides and follow their progress
See photos from the inaugural run in 2009
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