CAMP SABALU-HARRISON, Afghanistan -- While deployed, service members do a lot to try to stay connected to home. Phone calls, video chats, and decorating rooms and offices with their favorite sports teams' memorabilia are just a few examples.
Another way service members stay connected is through shadow runs, which means running a race taking place in the states, at the same time here in the deployed theater. Camp Sabalu-Harrison and Task Force Protector hosted the Army 10-Miler Shadow Run Oct. 21, 2012.
Army Capt. Jolene Ayres, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander and host of the shadow run, knows what events such as shadow runs mean to service members.
"They give a connection that allows us to represent what we would do in the states, so we feel like we are a part of what is going on back home," said Ayres.
Even though the main drive behind the shadow runs is to provide a link to back home, some of the runners also see a bit of bragging rights in it.
"Running the Army 10-miler at a satellite site is kind of a 'once in a lifetime'," said Sgt. 1st Class Melissa Jackson of the 333rd Military Police Brigade. "Not many people can say they did the 10-miler at Camp Sabalu-Harrison."
At 4:30 a.m. local time in Afghanistan, runners from the Marines, Air Force, Navy, Army, Department of Defense employees and civilian contractors from the various camps on Bagram Airbase gathered to run the annual race, which takes place in Washington, D.C. Though service members were unable to be at the real event, they appreciated a shadow run.
"It was a good opportunity," said Air Force Capt. Rachel Seablum with the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. "I like to race and really wanted to run the real 10-miler but couldn't, so this was nice."
A unique aspect of this shadow run is this is the first one at BAF with the start point being at Camp Sabalu-Harrison, which meant runners who normally don't get to participate due to work schedules and proximity, finally did.
Even those who normally get to do the shadow runs welcomed the new start point.
"It was nice to have a different course," said Army Lt. Col. Noel Cuff, 219th Medical Detachment commander. "We normally start at the clam shell on BAF, so it was nice to come here and change it up."
While the main purpose of the run is to act as a Morale, Welfare and Recreation event to boost the morale of service members, it also helps promote physical fitness and camaraderie.
"It is good to get everyone out and have events like this to keep in shape," explained Navy Lt. Com. Njuguna Macaria of Task Force Paladin. "It's a different workout and it's good to run with others instead of by yourself."
"It's a great opportunity to spend time with people who, regardless of branch, type of service, or rank, have a love for running," said Jackson. "No one else is going to get up at four in the morning except someone who loves the camaraderie of running."
For Macaria, the race and the camaraderie weren't just on the ground at Camp Sabalu-Harrison. "My friend back home is running the race in D.C. today, so I left a message on his Facebook wall, 'Meet you at the start line, don't expect to see me at the finish line!'" joked Macaria.
And for Ayres, that is just one more reason to ensure the continuance of shadow runs in theater. "It allows us to show runners in the states we're here too and this gets us positive attention for what we do," she explained.
With the first finisher, Army Sgt. Aaron Catlin, a military police officer with the 595th Military Police Company, coming in at 55 minutes and 21 seconds, the runners back home have something to recognize.
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