thedrifter
12-02-07, 07:27 AM
Here, in Iraq: Joint races of mud, guts, glory
Marines overseas, athletes at Reedy Creek Park to compete Jan. 26
RICH HAAG
Reedy Creek Park has hosted many sports events over the years, but nothing like the Marine Buddy Challenge on Jan. 26.
Hundreds of athletes both here and half a world away in Iraq will pay $50 per team so they can perform Marine-style fitness exercises and run 3 miles wearing backpacks, while Marine judges "are out there yelling at people -- I mean, motivating," says organizer and University City resident Aaron Harper.
In what Harper says is probably a first, real Marines in Al-Taqaddum, Iraq, will compete simultaneously in their own Buddy Challenge.
In yet another first, spectators at Reedy Creek Park can view both events as they happen via the Internet. Web cams in Iraq will beam that race to a video projector here, and then onto a big screen.
"They have had plenty of marathons and those types of activities in Iraq," Harper says, "but not at the same time where you have a joint race."
Hundreds of people turned out last August to compete in the organizers' first event, a Mud Run at Belmont Abbey College. That event culminated with teams of four crawling through a mud pit.
Participants generally loved the Mud Run, Harper said, but wondered where the drill sergeants were. The Buddy Challenge will satisfy them, he promises.
"I think a lot of people assumed that because it was a Marine event they would be treated like in boot camp, and people said they were hoping the Marines would yell at them more," Harper said. "So they asked, and they shall receive."
January's competitions are part of the Semper Fi Racing Series of military-style competitions being organized in 2008 by the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Greater Charlotte.
The council will hold the Ultimate Team Challenge in May, an event based on the Marines' 36-hour combat-simulation exercise called the Crucible.
The Mud Run at Belmont Abbey College will return Aug. 2.
Each event supports a nonprofit program for Marines.
The Buddy Challenge will support the Richard A. Christie Memorial Fund, which provides scholarships of up to $10,000 to former Marines seeking college degrees.
The event will take place regardless of weather conditions. This is the Marines, Harper says, and Marines don't think about bad weather.
Nor do Marines allow different standards for men and women. Harper expects to see female and coed teams competing in January, and quite possibly winning.
After all, a coed team won the Mud Run last August. An all-female team finished third.
Flavor of the neighborhood
Want to know more?
The Marine Buddy Challenge will start at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at Reedy Creek Park, 2900 Rocky River Road, about a mile east of Harris Boulevard. People must compete in pairs and wear matching clothing. Cost to register is $25 per person. You don't have to compete to support the event. People can sponsor athletes by becoming Spirit Runners for $25 per athlete either here or in Iraq. Sponsors will learn the name of their athlete and how she or he did in the event. The organizing council also welcomes corporate sponsors that can provide money for the scholarship or in-kind services and supplies for the Jan. 26 events. To learn more about the Marine Buddy Challenge, to donate money and to register, visit www.marinebuddychallenge.com. Learn more about the Coordinating Council at www.carolinamarines.org.
Rich Haag
Ellie
Marines overseas, athletes at Reedy Creek Park to compete Jan. 26
RICH HAAG
Reedy Creek Park has hosted many sports events over the years, but nothing like the Marine Buddy Challenge on Jan. 26.
Hundreds of athletes both here and half a world away in Iraq will pay $50 per team so they can perform Marine-style fitness exercises and run 3 miles wearing backpacks, while Marine judges "are out there yelling at people -- I mean, motivating," says organizer and University City resident Aaron Harper.
In what Harper says is probably a first, real Marines in Al-Taqaddum, Iraq, will compete simultaneously in their own Buddy Challenge.
In yet another first, spectators at Reedy Creek Park can view both events as they happen via the Internet. Web cams in Iraq will beam that race to a video projector here, and then onto a big screen.
"They have had plenty of marathons and those types of activities in Iraq," Harper says, "but not at the same time where you have a joint race."
Hundreds of people turned out last August to compete in the organizers' first event, a Mud Run at Belmont Abbey College. That event culminated with teams of four crawling through a mud pit.
Participants generally loved the Mud Run, Harper said, but wondered where the drill sergeants were. The Buddy Challenge will satisfy them, he promises.
"I think a lot of people assumed that because it was a Marine event they would be treated like in boot camp, and people said they were hoping the Marines would yell at them more," Harper said. "So they asked, and they shall receive."
January's competitions are part of the Semper Fi Racing Series of military-style competitions being organized in 2008 by the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Greater Charlotte.
The council will hold the Ultimate Team Challenge in May, an event based on the Marines' 36-hour combat-simulation exercise called the Crucible.
The Mud Run at Belmont Abbey College will return Aug. 2.
Each event supports a nonprofit program for Marines.
The Buddy Challenge will support the Richard A. Christie Memorial Fund, which provides scholarships of up to $10,000 to former Marines seeking college degrees.
The event will take place regardless of weather conditions. This is the Marines, Harper says, and Marines don't think about bad weather.
Nor do Marines allow different standards for men and women. Harper expects to see female and coed teams competing in January, and quite possibly winning.
After all, a coed team won the Mud Run last August. An all-female team finished third.
Flavor of the neighborhood
Want to know more?
The Marine Buddy Challenge will start at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at Reedy Creek Park, 2900 Rocky River Road, about a mile east of Harris Boulevard. People must compete in pairs and wear matching clothing. Cost to register is $25 per person. You don't have to compete to support the event. People can sponsor athletes by becoming Spirit Runners for $25 per athlete either here or in Iraq. Sponsors will learn the name of their athlete and how she or he did in the event. The organizing council also welcomes corporate sponsors that can provide money for the scholarship or in-kind services and supplies for the Jan. 26 events. To learn more about the Marine Buddy Challenge, to donate money and to register, visit www.marinebuddychallenge.com. Learn more about the Coordinating Council at www.carolinamarines.org.
Rich Haag
Ellie