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Sister Race in Afghanistan -- Check out the video!

Published on Friday, August 20, 2010

Check out the video of the Falmouth-in-Afghanistan Road Race

Aug. 3, 2010

For further information contact John Carroll, (508) 540-7000 or (508) 737-7874. E-mail: trackjc@aol.com

CIGNA Falmouth Road Race in Afghanistan

A companion CIGNA Falmouth Road Race will be run in Afghanistan for the second time in three years. In 2008 Falmouth partnered with Megan Kennedy, U.S. Navy, while she was stationed at Camp Mike Spann, Afghanistan. This year, Maj. Don Chapin, who is a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard at Otis ANG Base, will be directing the race at Camp Phoenix.

Major Chapin reports he has a three-loop course, starting out by the pavilion on the track, and ending at Patriot Square, right in the middle of the forward operating base in front of the dining facility. Everything will take place inside the Camp Phoenix perimeter.

It is a great honor, race co-director John Carroll says, for us to partner with Major Chapin and Camp Phoenix. There are a large number of New England area military personnel in the area, and Major Chapin is hoping for a good representation. He anticipates over 300 participants in the Falmouth/Camp Phoenix race.

The race has sent tan CIGNA Falmouth Road Race T-shirts with a special Camp Phoenix logo to be given to all runners. Camp Phoenix/CIGNA Falmouth Road Race numbers have been made, and gift certificate will also be awarded, courtesy of the race.

Carroll commented, We also hope to make arrangements to have a phone card, through Cell Phones for Soldiers, for each runner.

The Camp Phoenix race will be run on Friday or Saturday, Aug. 13 or 14, the day before the race in Falmouth. Carroll was not sure of the date or time of the race since it depends on duty assignments. The temperature at Camp Phoenix might reach over 110 degrees and they will decide the best time based on the weather.

CIGNA is now in its fifth year as the title sponsor. More than 2,000 volunteers provide the support system for race weekend.

 

MORE FROM CAMP PHOENIX ABOUT RACE DAY

 

Hi John,

Well here is what it looks like for tomorrow morning. There have been many changes in missions and it has affected our runners, of those registered, we expect 202 of them to run. We will welcome others who find their day changes, in that category there are several who are holding out for the opportunity.

I have almost 60 volunteers! There are a lot of people who are new here and not up to running but are looking for a cahnce to get involved in something. The number and sizing of T-shirts was spot on, many of the volunteers actually received the Tan shirts once we ran out of the correct size grey ones, but everyone was thrilled none the less.

I have teams set up at 11 places around the course (3 lap course) to provide encouragement, to make sure people go the correct way, and to provide water. There will be two places on the track where lap counts will be taken by number. At the finish we have a huge French contingency providing the finish line snacks and water/gatorade. A young Army LT will be singing the National Anthem. We will draw the $100 gift card before the start for one of the volunteers or runners.

At the finish we will be using a shute to keep the runners in order after they finish to make sure we get times and order of finish correct. The French will be helping a couple of my real strong NCOs with that duty. We hope to get all the times recorded as people finish directly into the computer so we can calculate the most improved male and female from the last 10K for the two $50 gift cards. At 0930 our time (just after midnight back in Falmouth) we will do our awards "ceremony". By the time you get up in the morning you should have our results.

The Public Affairs Office will be shooting both video and stills. Those will be uploaded to DIVITS for media access. I will also secure some photos to send directly to you.

I have had some communication with friends of Steve Xiarhos and we will be running here in memory of his son Nick. I will say a few brief words about Nick before the start of the race.

I have a few last minute things to take care of.

Thanks for the support,

Don

Saturday, 14-08-2010 The race is complete. about 220 runners. I am having the results compiled, we have the order of finish and many of the times, but not all. It was quite a task to do everything manually. I will send as soon as it is complete.

Here are the official final scores, there were many people who succombed to the heat and distance today. As well as those who started and ran as long as they could before heading out for work. I believe that the photos and video have both been uploaded to DIVDS. I will resend the link to you to make sure you have it.

We all had a great time. The T-shirts are a huge hit here.

Winners: Jean-Christophe Saulnier, French (Bonneville, France) :39:38; and Rebecca Linder, USAR, Sioux Falls, SD :48:06 (in photo)