Illinois Guard Running Team Competes in Little Rock Marathon

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Submitted photo/ Members of the Illinois Guard Running team pose with the medals they earned after completing the Little Rock Marathon March 3 in Little Rock, Ark.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK., (03/11/2013)(readMedia)-- Among 2,446 competitors five members of the Illinois Guard Running Team lined up at the start line of the 2013 Little Rock Marathon March 3 in Little Rock, Ark.

The five Illinois National Guard Soldiers took on the 26.2-mile marathon themed 'Lucky in Little Rock,' but one of the runners was not counting on luck, but rather her training.

Spc. Jennifer Allen of Springfield with Headquarters Service Company, 766th Engineers Battalion in Decatur started training for the marathon in October 2012. She said she was determined to beat her previous marathon time. Allen completed four hours and four minutes, beating her previous time by more than two hours. This qualified her to compete in the National Guard Marathon May 5 in Lincoln, Neb.

"Hard work and dedication went into achieving the first half of my goal," said Allen. "I could not have done it if it was not for Chief McKay and Sergeant 1st Class Hoffman."

Along with McKay and Hoffman, Allen said support came from a close friend, Sam Angel.

"I also could not have done it without Sam, who truly is my inspiration to achieving my personal goals," said Allen. "Completing a marathon has always been a dream of mine and Sam is always there to cheer me on."

She set a new goal for the National Guard Marathon in May, make the All Guard Elite Marathon team. During the next two months she said she will ramp up her training and focus all of her grit and determination on her new goal.

Hoffman said he was proud of Allen's success. Over the past few months Hoffman has witnessed Allen's progression as a runner.

"Pushing herself to the ultimate max, she's accomplished more than I've seen people accomplish," said Hoffman. "I couldn't be more proud of her."

Hoffman said while every runner may have different goals, everything comes down to what drives them to accomplish it.

This is the second time in three years the Illinois Guard Running Team participated in Little Rock marathon.

If you would like to be a part of the Illinois Guard Running Team and earn one of those huge medals yourself, please email Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rachelle McKay, director of the Illinois Guard Running Team at rachelle.s.mckay.mil@mail.mil.

Submitted photo/ Members of the Illinois Guard Running team pose with the medals they earned after completing the Little Rock Marathon March 3 in Little Rock, Ark. (From left to right) Sgt. 1st Class Greg Hoffman of Virden with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, Spc. Jennifer Allen of Springfield with Headquarter Service Company, 766th Engineers Battalion in Decatur, Sgt. 1st Class John Tierney of Lincoln with the Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles, Capt. Kira Crocker of Springfield with the 129th Regional Training Institute in Springfield and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rachelle McKay of Taylorville with the 129th Regional Training Institute in Springfield.