Illinois National Guard Running Team Runs in Little Rock Marathon

Story by Chief Warrant Officer (2) Rachelle McKay, 129th Regional Training Institute

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Sgt. 1st Class Greg Hoffman of Virden, Staff Sgt. John Tierney of Lincoln, Capt. Kira Crocker of Springfield and Chief Warrant Officer (2) Rachelle McKay of Springfield, traveled to Little Rock, Ark.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. (03/08/2011)(readMedia)-- What is your definition of crazy? A person who rides their bicycle against traffic? Or maybe a Soldier willing to jump out of an airplane blindfolded?

Four members of the Illinois Guard Running Team made up their own definition of crazy over the past weekend, March 4 to 6. Capt. Kira Crocker of Springfield, Chief Warrant Officer (2) Rachelle McKay of Springfield, Staff Sgt. John Tierney of Lincoln and Sgt. 1st Class Greg Hoffman of Virden traveled to Little Rock, Ark., to run the Little Rock Marathon.

For some that may not constitute crazy; however, if one adds that all four of these Soldiers signed up three weeks before race day with minimal training, crazy may come to mind. All of the Soldiers except for Tierney have ran in marathons prior to the race.

Why would four Soldiers sign up to run 26.2 miles with no training? That answer was easy: the medal. The organizers of the Little Rock Marathon pride themselves on creating a huge and unique medal for the marathon finishers. This year the medal is seven and half inches tall, five inches wide, weighing more than a pound and a half and part of it spins.

"I'm not sure what is crazier... running a marathon or running a marathon untrained," said Hoffman. "Regardless, the challenge to accomplish a seemingly impossible task, and complete it, was the reward. Or it could have been just about the medal."

The Illinois Guard Running Team is looking for runners, male or female, of any age, with the Illinois Army National Guard or Air National Guard. If you are interested in redefining crazy - give McKay a call at 217-761-1212 or email at rachelle.mckay@us.army.mil.

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