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GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — Soldiers, family members and civilians throughout the Grafenwöhr community joined up to participate in and enjoy the Hammer-half marathon here June 12.
The Hammer-half is a 13.1 mile run, 5 kilometer run and a family fun mile walk, which was organized by the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
“This was a great event, very professionally run and with a great demonstration of the warrior ethos. I see some serious contenders for the Army 10-miler out here,” said Brig. Gen. Steven Salazar, a native of San Jose, Calif., and the commander of the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command. General Salazar is also a participant in the 5K run.
The day consisted of three main events, the longest of which was the 13.1 mile half marathon.
“Although my husband Nathan and I had promoted numerous cycling races in the past, this was our first running event. It was not easy, but hopefully we have established the 18th CSSB’s Hammer-half as an annual event,” said 1st Lt. Jessica Miller, a native of Lincoln, N.H., who works as the 1st Inland Cargo Transfer Company’s executive officer.
The half marathon took the runners around the outdoor gym track, through post, onto the tank trail where it doubled back and brought the runners once more around the Grafenwöhr gym.
The 5K participants used the gym track and then ran around the base lake and back. The family fun mile was more relaxed with baby strollers, bikes and even dogs as the participants walked and jogged around the gym mile track.
Before and throughout the events, the spectators enjoyed raffles and food tables, which supported the 18th CSSB’s family readiness groups.
“I had a lot of fun. The 18th put a lot of work into this event and it was very professional and well done,” said Maj. Dan Welsh, a native of Meadow Vista, Calif., who works as an information operations officer for the 172nd Infantry Brigade. He took first place with a time of 1:22:35 for the men’s half marathon division.
“It was a warm day with a nice start. It was nice to have a challenging runner next to me because I had to fight for my win. We have done quite a few of these runs and this one was done well,” said Nathaniel Burrell, the first place winner of the 5K run.
Mr. Burrell’s brother, Jonathon Burrell, 9, came in second place for his division of the 5K run.
“This was my first half marathon. I am tired but it feels nice to win,” said Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rodriguez, a native of Casa Grande, Ariz., who works at the Bavarian Medical and Dental Activity. She took first place with a time of 1:52:43 for the women’s half marathon division.
“Everyone who participated in the event was a winner. We had families, battle buddies, siblings and athletic rivals all running together. This builds a team and is what the Army family is all about,” said Lt. Col. Reed Hudgins, 18th CSSB commander and a native of Reisterstown, M.D.
