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3rd annual Bagram Marathon held

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rob Hazelett
  • ARPC Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan --  More than 700 people participated in the 3rd annual Bagram Marathon events here Sept. 15, 2013. The Bagram Marathon is an extension of the Air Force Marathon held at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, in Dayton, Ohio, Sept. 21.

Bagram is one of seven deployed locations throughout the area of responsibility that participated in the extension races.

"The 455th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron worked hard to make this a stellar event for Bagram's deployed Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines" said Master Sgt. Donnie Parish, 455th EFSS non-appropriated fund accounting. Parish is a 20-year Air Force veteran and a finisher in this year's half-marathon.

"We could not have made this event possible without the 80 volunteers and Mrs. Eva McPherson, whom oversaw the events," said Parish, deployed from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., and a native of Okolona, Miss.

Runners chose to run in either the full-marathon or the half-marathon. Runners who finished the races received an official Air Force medallion with 'Deployed Location' transcribed across the front of the medal.

"The Air Force Marathon is a highly anticipated event for our military personnel," said Mrs. Eva McPherson, a contractor who has worked 22 years with the Morale, Welfare and Recreation office, and a native from Heidelberg, Germany.

McPherson said she felt blessed to be able to coordinate MWR events for a living, "It allows our troops an opportunity to focus on something positive while deployed in a remote location."

Although the participants' times don't count toward the official Air Force Marathon results, all runners were given an official Air Force Marathon t-shirt and race packet during a block party held near the Russian Tower.