Rain no match for participants in 10K race

by Reginald Rogers
Paraglide

	photo by Reginald Rogers/Paraglide Participants of the Joint Special Operations Command’s 13th Annual 10K run/5K walk take off from the start line Friday to mark the start of the race. More than 350 participants converged on the grounds around McKellar’s Lodge to participate in the event, which ironically, took place on Friday the 13th this year.

A cold rain and a flooded river created a gloomy setting, but more than 350 runners and walkers braved the elements to participate in the Joint Special Operations Command’s 13th Annual 10K run/5K walk Friday near McKellar’s Lodge.

The event, which celebrated its 13th anniversary, ironically, took place on Friday the 13th this year. For the runners and walkers who participated, it was anything but scary.

“This was the best rainy run I’ve ever participated in,” said Ingred Pierce, a staff sergeant assigned to JSOC. “Everybody came out and did it anyway, despite the weather. Rain won’t stop us.”

The 6.2-mile course began just south of McKellar’s Lodge and took runners and walkers on a path near the post’s perimeter and back. For some it was a walk in the park that they enjoyed by bringing their kids along. Other enjoyed the competitive spirit of the event by racing other competitors.

“It was a good event with good esprit-de-corps,” said Staff Sgt. Charles Monroe, who is also assigned to JSOC. It’s good when, despite the weather, everyone comes out, including the kids. “
Army Ten-Miler member Jon Stein took first overall, crossing the finish line with a time of 36:47. Women’s Army Ten-Miler team member Nicole Smith finished first among women runners. She finished the trek with a time of 42:28.

“It was a great course,” said Mike Golberg, a sergeant assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Inf. Regt., 82nd Airborne Division, who ran in his first JSOC 10-miler. “ It was muddy, which made it more challenging.”