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Stockade-athon 15K ran at Kabul International Airport

  • Published
  • By MC3 Jared E. Walker
  • 438th AEW PA
KABUL, Afghanistan --  The Stockade-athon is popularly recognized in the United States as one of the oldest major 15K road races but here in Kabul, Afghanistan, this is the first time the race was run. Members of NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan, ISAF Joint Command and the Afghan Air Force ran the 15k road race on the Afghan Air Force Base on Nov 5.

"It was kind of neat that we had such a joint showing. This really shows the process that we have made over the past year with the bonding that we have with each NATO country and the Afghans," said Capt. Kemmey J. Esteban, NATC-A/438th Air Expeditionary Air Squadron fitness advisor.

Capt. Esteban said that Capt. Cassie Ayott came up with the idea for the race during a committee meeting and once she got the go ahead, she started to set the race up.
"The road running club that puts this race together is in Albany, N.Y. and is called the Hudson Mohawk Road Running Club. I have been living in the area since 1998 and a part of the club since 1999. My friends are the organizers of that race, so I contacted them to see if they could help us," said Capt. Cassie Ayott, Flight Nurse advisor.

Overall, it was a great turn out as 49 people from 6 different countries and all four American branches were represented. There was also support from Security Forces, Public Affairs and all 20 volunteers supporting the race and its four water stations.
Finishing hand in hand were Squadron leader Dan Keheo from Australia and Capt. Paulo Vieira from the Portuguese Air Force with a time of 57 minutes and 28 seconds. Vieira arrived last week and this is the first time that he has participated in a NATC-A sponsored race as well. Both gentlemen said it was an easy race for them because they are in good shape and talked to each other the entire time.

"This race is something that everyone can do and participate in. Some people have personal fitness goals that they want to reach. Others haven't been doing this for a while and get into running once they get out here. It's great to see people meet their goals and have fun at the same time. I just take my job to heart to see something that is fun for everyone. I enjoy putting joy in people's lives. Events like this help keep people motivated and enjoy their time here on deployment," said Estaban.

As a reminder that this race took place in a war zone, all participates of the race ran by a group of Afghan workers mine sweeping. Even during a time of war, people have to find the time to enjoy themselves and find a way to keep their morale.