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Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Tony Petros runs past a water point during the Boston Marathon Shadow Run at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan today.
((U.S. Army photo by U.S. Army Master Sgt. Kap Kim, Combined Joint Task Force-10 Public Affairs))
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN - The Watertown-based, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) hosted a Boston Marathon Shadow Run today at the Bagram Air Force Base in east Afghanistan.
Combined Joint Task Force-10 Commander Maj. Gen. Stephen Townsend provides the runners with a motivational speech before race. (U.S. Army photo by U.S. Army Master Sgt. Kap Kim, Combined Joint Task Force-10 Public Affairs)
A field of 600 male and female runners, including many soldiers from Fort Drum, civilians and soldiers from other countries ran the 26.2 mile course.
Since 2005, thousands of U.S. armed forces personnel stationed overseas have participated in "shadow" versions of the Boston Marathon, running the marathon distance on, or near Patriots Day. The races have taken place in Iraq, Afghanistan, or on a ship at sea, according to the Boston Athletic Association website.
The 10th Mountain Division is currently in charge of the Regional Command-East in Afghanistan. This is the last Boston Marathon Shadow Run affiliated with Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, said Major Josh Jacques, a military spokesman. He said some 600 soldiers from Fort Drum arrived at the base in January and will pull out at the end of the year.
Jacques said the course was run on roads and flat. There was no "Heartbreak Hill," he said, but competitors had to deal with the base's altitude, which is at about 5,000 feet.
The Boston Athletic Association has assisted the shadow marathons by providing Boston Marathon start and finish banners, bibs, tee shirts, medals, and finisher certificates for participants.