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KAF members, four in EOD bomb suits, make 'explosive' run for charity

  • Published
  • By Paladin South, Combined Joint Task Force
  • Paladin South, Combined Joint Task Force
Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan --  The first day of spring, March 21, was the date of one of the biggest road races of the year.

The event was held to raise money for the Wounded Explosive Ordinance Disposal Warrior Foundation, started as a idea of U.S. Navy Master Chief Joe Yockey when EOD Mobile Unit-11 first came to southern Afghanistan.

Racers chose one of three ways to participate: a five kilometer run, a 10-kilometer run or a biathlon, in which runners completed a 5K run followed by another 5K run with a 35-pound ruck sack strapped to their backs.

One unique part of the race was when the start gun went off at KAF, runners in Kabul, Afghanistan, Fort Richardson, Alaska, College Station, Texas, Virginia Beach, Va., Stony Point, N.Y., Fort Bragg, N.C., and Florida also held their respective races to support the WEODW Foundation.

While most runners at KAF sported lightweight running shorts and a t-shirt, four Air Force EOD members, along with Navy Senior Chief Lucky Reiswig each took off wearing a 70-pound military bomb suit.

More than 500 racers participated in the event, which raised more than $9,000.