World Record attempt to highlight this weekend's U.S. Army X-Country Festival
While in its seventh year overall, the event known for the first time as the U.S. Army X-Country Festival at Maymont takes on a little added significance with the world record attempt of a former serviceman. Jeremy Soles is a former Sgt. in the United States Marine Corps, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) veteran and he will run the entire 13.1 mile Half Marathon on Saturday, September 26 beginning at 7 a.m. wearing a gas mask.
The feat, which when completed and verified will be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, is meant to raise awareness and funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. Wounded Warrior Project began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need. One night while watching the evening news, a group of veterans and brothers were moved by the difficult stories of the first wounded service members returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq. They realized then and there that something needed to be done for these brave individuals beyond the brass bands and ticker tape parades. The resulting objective was to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally.
“I consider this to be a small contribution compared with what the warriors have sacrificed while serving our country,” says Soles, who now works for SAIC as a trainer for Naval Special Warfare.
The half marathon is just one race that is part of the Sept. 25-26 U.S. Army X-Country Festival at Maymont. The event features one of the premier high school cross country meets in the country and also hosts open 5k and half marathon divisions for participants of all ages and shorter distance events for elementary and middle school kids.
Online registration for the open events (Elementary School 1 Mile, 3k, 5k and Half Marathon) will close at 11:59 p.m. on September 23. Walk up registration will take place on Friday, September 25 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Maymont. There is no walk up registration on Saturday, September 26. More information and online registration can be found at www.sportsbackers.org.
Media wishing more information can contact Scott Schricker at 804-285-9495 x229 or scott@sportsbackers.org.
Please sign in to respond | | Register