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Today was the first ever (and probably the last ever) running of the Mosul 1/2 Marathon.  This was an event organized by the Special Forces unit located here on this FOB in conjunction with KBR (Kellog, Brown, and Root - a contractor that runs our dining facility, our awesome gym, and essentially all our MWR facilities and events).  This was an outstanding and certainly one of a kind event.

Let's see...  The race started at 0700.  At 0615 there were three mortars that landed just outside the wire (which was also just outside the route of the course).  During the briefing of the race route by the course director, another mortar exploded, probably quite far away.  You can tell we have all been here too long, because no one even flinched for that one.  The course was roughly two loops around our airfield.  Part of the airfield borders upon the city of Mosul.  Along these areas the SF guys had a sniper, a HUM-V with a 50 caliber machine gun, and a HUM-V with two guys with SAW's (Squad Automatic Weapon - a very powerful, and very rapid firing machine gun).  They also had a few other snipers positioned at various points along the course.  So, as you can imagine, this was quite a unique 13.1 mile race.  On top of all that, we have had a bit of rain here lately, and there is mud and BIG puddles of water EVERYWHERE.  So, let me say there were a few hazards out there.

Despite all that, knock on wood, the race went off without the smallest glitch (at least that the competitors could notice).  There were 69 competitors (no, I did not make that up).  They had race numbers for everyone.  The run started essentially on time.  There were 6 water stations out on the course, manned by KBR employees.  The course was essentially two loops around the airfield, and as I mentioned it was MUDDY.  At the end of the race, all the runners' backs were coated with mud from their waists down to their heels.  There was not a speck of white showing on anyone's running shoes.  About half-way through the race there was some small arms fire heard, which seemed like it was coming from off-post.  The winning time was 1:25.  I finished in 4th with a time of 1:31.  Overall the CSH made an awesome showing.  We had 10 runners: 3 people from the lab, the pharmacist, two nurses, a nurse and an anesthetist that split the race and ran it as a team, a medic from our medical support unit, and myself.  Of note, a female from our lab finished in a very quick 1:41 making her 10th overall, and, more importantly, the first female finisher.

After the race, there was an awards ceremony and lunch was served to all the competitors and helpers.

And, to make things even better, they had an awesome finisher's t-shirt.  The motto on the front of the shirt said it all:

THE MOST DANGEROUS 1/2 MARATHON IN THE WORLD

check back in a few days and I should have some pictures!