Thousands Run Peachtree in Kuwait

U.S. Army Central Public Affairs Office ^ | July 4, 2008 | Wes Landrum

[Cecily]

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- The sun was just barely rising over a dusty horizon when the horn sounded. Service members and civilians with U.S. Army Central took off from the start line, some at a faster pace than others. The Peachtree Road Race had started in Kuwait.

While more than 55,000 will run through the skyscraper-lined streets in Atlanta, Ga., during the 39th annual 10 kilometer Peachtree Road Race, more than 1,100 people gathered at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, to start their 4th of July festivities on the right foot. More than 3,000 participants ran the race in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The Peachtree Road Race is a big deal … it’s the largest 10k race in the world … and it takes place at our home base in Atlanta,” said Lt. Gen. Jim Lovelace, USARCENT commanding general. “Not only is it a great physical challenge, it’s a way for our Soldiers and civilians to connect with thousands of others back home.”

The Peachtree Road Race began in 1970. The idea for the race was born a year earlier as members of the Atlanta Tack Club traveled to Fort Benning, Ga. for their annual Independence Day run. While on the way home, a suggestion was made that Atlanta should have their own race. Approximately 110 people ran on July 4, 1970.

[Cecily]

[HiJinx]

Woo-Hoo, Philly, you guys made the papers!

I remember PT here at Ft. Huachuca beginning at 0600 during the summer - for much the same reason as starting it at dawn in Kuwait. It gets hot!

[philly-d-kidder]

The Photos look Great Cecily!!! and Hi Jinx

Here is the Link to Article..

http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=21175

[Tax-chick]

I saw this in “Runner’s World” last year. Raucous round of applause to all our folks in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan!

[kalee]

ping

[fkabuckeyesrule]

I ran it in Atlanta.