MCM Forward

Since 2006, the MCM Forward has brought the MCM to deployed running enthusiasts in forward-operating locations around the globe. Over 1,200 military members have run the MCM Forward in locations including forward operating bases in Iraq, Afghanistan and aboard naval aircraft carriers like the USS New York, USS Gunston Hall and USS Iwo Jima.

In 2012, the MCM Forward was conducted in the following locations in Afghanistan: Camp Leatherneck; Kabul; FOB Sharana; FOB Joyce; and Assadabad. Additional locations where deployed military participated in "The People's Marathon" included the USS New York, Kuwait, Turkmenistan and Abu Dhabi. MCM Forward is supported by Geico and Navy Federal Credit Union. 

Occurring in conjunction to the most successful MCM to date, MCM Forward also resulted in the greatest number of finishers this year, with 440 service members participating from all branches of the military.

Lt. Col. Bethany Jenkins of MARCENT FWD was proud to present awards to top MCM Forward finishers after motivating participants along the course to keep on moving and to finish strong. LtCol Jenkins presented an award to first place male, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Orloski, who completed the race in 3:24:13.

First place in the Women’s Division went to Amie Stryker. She is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and finished her marathon with a time of 4:05:05.

MCM Forward Red Sea:
Five Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) aboard amphibious dock-landing ship the USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) participated in the 37th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) on Oct. 27 through the MCM Forward.

“It was a little bit more difficult than I thought it would be because the treadmill is so restricted,” said Lance Cpl. Joseph Thomas. “Finishing gave me an overwhelming sense of pride. I was relieved to finally say it’s over with but it was all worth it when I finally hit that 26.2.”

To keep up morale and motivation, Marines printed out inspirational pictures and hung them up in the gym next to the treadmills.

“Having run the race last year back in D.C., I could visualize the real race,” said Hammer. “I thought the photos, being able to visualize different checkpoints throughout the run, would be good motivation for the guys who haven’t run the race before.”

Participants received a Marine Corps Marathon finisher's medal and a certificate for their achievements along with a shirt and patch.

The Gunston Hall is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 24th MEU.

For more information on the Gunston Hall, visit www.gunston-hall.navy.mil. You can follow the Gunston Hall and her mission at their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GunstonHall.

MCM Forward from Camp Leatherneck:
In the very early hours of October 28, 294 service members ran and completed the 26.2 mile MCM Forward from the desert of Camp Leatherneck, located in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Marine 1st Lt. Ben Lukowski, 28, of St. Albans, WV, was the first to cross the finish line in 2:43. Lukowski is Regional Logistic Command Support advisor deployed to Leatherneck. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Elizabeth Gomez, 27, deployed with the 126th Transportation Company, finished first among the women, completing MCM Forward in 3:39. Service members and civilian contractors ran the event in the desert, starting out before sunrise. Many MCM Forward runners dedicated their participation to fellow service members who died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The MCM Forward course was located within the Camp Leatherneck base with runners passing through desert dirt, sand and rocks. Now at more than 1,600 acres, Camp Leatherneck is one of the largest U.S. Marine bases in history and currently serves as the main hub for all units operating within Regional Command Southwest’s Helmand and Nimroz provinces.

More results news from MCM Forward at Camp Leatherneck:

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/96901/deployed-runners-push-bodies-complete-marathon-
overseas

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/96905/marathon-means-more-than-race-honors-fallen-heroes

MCM Forward Video 2012

Deployed Runners push bodies, complete marathon overseas

MCM Forward - 6,940 Miles Away at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan

Good Luck MCM Runners, from the Marines

In 2012, the MCM Forward was conducted in the following locations in Afghanistan:  Camp Leatherneck; Kabul; FOB Sharana; FOB Joyce; and Assadabad.  Additional locations where deployed military participated in "The People's Marathon" include the USS New York, Kuwait, Turkmenistan and Abu Dhabi.

Marine Corps Historic Half Forward
For the first time since the Marine Corps Historic Half began in 2008, the event held on Sunday,May 20 under bright blue skies in Fredericksburg, VA was held simultaneously in the desert –as U.S. Marines, Sailors, Airmen, a National Guardsman and a few civilians ran Historic HalfForward from Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Thirty three Marines, Sailors and civilians formed the largest group of runners participating fromFOB Delaram II in Afghanistan.

Capt. Patrick Sullivan, a Marine Corps Intelligence officer from Gainesville, FL placed first overall in with a finishing time of 1:37:21. Hometown girl, Navy Lt. Rebecca Murphy of Fredericksburg, VA, finished first among women with a time of 1:48:51. Murphy is a Naval Flight Officer who says MCM Forward “was a great training opportunity for the upcoming MCM … plus it allowed us to build a bit of camaraderie among the runners and those aspiring torun on the FOB.”

Because of the desert heat, the runners stepped off on their 13.1 mile journey at 4:30 a.m.Afghanistan time. Sullivan and Murphy both say that the worst thing about running inAfghanistan is actually the rocks and the gravel, “it’s easy to twist an ankle,” says Sullivan.

Eleven members of the U.S. Air Force and one National Guardsman also ran Historic Half Forward from Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, while two Sailors participated in the event from a FOB in Kuwait.

“Historic Half Forward offers deployed military members the opportunity to train, exercise and experience the accomplishment of meeting a fitness goal while serving in remote areas overseas,” says Rick Nealis MCM Director.

Good Luck Historic Half Runners, from the Marines

PREVIOUS FORWARD WINNERS