Swamp Ranger Run held by the 6th
Ranger Battalion on May 20, 2009
Ranger Battalion on May 20, 2009
Several of the Panhandle Runners & Triathlete’s Club members
decided to take on the Swamp Ranger Run. Alice Guay’s daughter
is stationed at Eglin and sent out the invite or should I say
challenge! We all know that Florida is flat. Right?? Well, we found
out that near Eglin, at the 6th Battalion Ranger Camp, Florida is not
flat.
The Swamp Ranger Run gave runners 2 options, A 5K and a 10K
run. Alice’s much smarter daughter opted for the 5K trail run. We
macho, PR&T clubbies decided to go for the 10K trail run. Water
stops were to be at the 2, 4 and 5 mile mark. Being wise beyond
my years, I would carry my own fluids. One never knows how well
races are put on until you’ve done one in a locale. I could have
become a rich man at mile 2 when not fluids were present!
The 10K runners had to jog about 400 yards to get to the start line.
The one race official stated that when we heard the bang, that
meant start. We all decided that we could do that! Well, we saw
something tossed into the bushes. Thinking that one of the
runners wanted to toss a shirt off to be ready for the heat, we didn’t
think anything about it. We then heard a screaming whistle! What
is this? At that moment, we hear a huge BANG! They had tossed
an explosive in the bushes. Needless to say, we started our trek.
Shortly in to the run, we knew we were in trouble. The course
consisted of a deeply rutted jeep trail in deep sand or should I
say…with the consistency of Beach sand! This went over hill and
dale. More hills than dales! The hills, heat and humidity would zap
the very life out of you.
At mile 2, no water stop! Finally, just passed the 3 mile mark, and
an angel appeared with Gatorade and cold water! What a relief.
The deep sand continued until the course finally leveled off a little.
There was actually some hard surface in the middle of the road. All
the runners were dancing back and forth in the ruts to try and
achieve some degree of traction. At mile 6, we ran up a short steep
hill and you could see the finish line way off in the distance. We all
finally made it in. Joe managed to get first in the 60+ age group
with a 55:25. Theresa Sullivan was first in hers also with a 1:01:
42. Marty pulled in the Grandmaster’s female award and a
certificate from Hooter’s for 100 chicken wings with a 1:01:52!
Charlotte Kuntz and Alice Guay finished strong with 1:07:57 and
1:ll:48, respectively. Alice's daughter Seanna's 5K time was 30:16.
The Swamp Ranger Run is sponsored by the Swamp Ranger
Association and the 6th Ranger Training Battalion. It is held on an
annual basis in conjunction with 6th Ranger Training Battalions
Annual Open House. The Florida Ranger Camp is surrounded by
miles of scenic and demanding trails.
All proceeds from the Swamp Ranger Run will go towards a local
charity. For the second year in a row all of the proceeds will go
towards the construction of the Eglin Fisher House. Last year they
were able to donate over $3,200 to the Fisher House Foundation.
With our help, they hoped to increase that donation to $5,000 in
2008. The Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public
partnership that supports America's military in their time of need.
The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and
women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting
a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the
Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The Fisher
House™ Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the
grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes
enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most
stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected
illness, disease, or injury. Eglin AFB is receiving a Fisher House,
and they want to to do their part to support that great program.
Race results will be posted on active.com.
decided to take on the Swamp Ranger Run. Alice Guay’s daughter
is stationed at Eglin and sent out the invite or should I say
challenge! We all know that Florida is flat. Right?? Well, we found
out that near Eglin, at the 6th Battalion Ranger Camp, Florida is not
flat.
The Swamp Ranger Run gave runners 2 options, A 5K and a 10K
run. Alice’s much smarter daughter opted for the 5K trail run. We
macho, PR&T clubbies decided to go for the 10K trail run. Water
stops were to be at the 2, 4 and 5 mile mark. Being wise beyond
my years, I would carry my own fluids. One never knows how well
races are put on until you’ve done one in a locale. I could have
become a rich man at mile 2 when not fluids were present!
The 10K runners had to jog about 400 yards to get to the start line.
The one race official stated that when we heard the bang, that
meant start. We all decided that we could do that! Well, we saw
something tossed into the bushes. Thinking that one of the
runners wanted to toss a shirt off to be ready for the heat, we didn’t
think anything about it. We then heard a screaming whistle! What
is this? At that moment, we hear a huge BANG! They had tossed
an explosive in the bushes. Needless to say, we started our trek.
Shortly in to the run, we knew we were in trouble. The course
consisted of a deeply rutted jeep trail in deep sand or should I
say…with the consistency of Beach sand! This went over hill and
dale. More hills than dales! The hills, heat and humidity would zap
the very life out of you.
At mile 2, no water stop! Finally, just passed the 3 mile mark, and
an angel appeared with Gatorade and cold water! What a relief.
The deep sand continued until the course finally leveled off a little.
There was actually some hard surface in the middle of the road. All
the runners were dancing back and forth in the ruts to try and
achieve some degree of traction. At mile 6, we ran up a short steep
hill and you could see the finish line way off in the distance. We all
finally made it in. Joe managed to get first in the 60+ age group
with a 55:25. Theresa Sullivan was first in hers also with a 1:01:
42. Marty pulled in the Grandmaster’s female award and a
certificate from Hooter’s for 100 chicken wings with a 1:01:52!
Charlotte Kuntz and Alice Guay finished strong with 1:07:57 and
1:ll:48, respectively. Alice's daughter Seanna's 5K time was 30:16.
The Swamp Ranger Run is sponsored by the Swamp Ranger
Association and the 6th Ranger Training Battalion. It is held on an
annual basis in conjunction with 6th Ranger Training Battalions
Annual Open House. The Florida Ranger Camp is surrounded by
miles of scenic and demanding trails.
All proceeds from the Swamp Ranger Run will go towards a local
charity. For the second year in a row all of the proceeds will go
towards the construction of the Eglin Fisher House. Last year they
were able to donate over $3,200 to the Fisher House Foundation.
With our help, they hoped to increase that donation to $5,000 in
2008. The Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public
partnership that supports America's military in their time of need.
The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and
women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting
a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the
Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The Fisher
House™ Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the
grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes
enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most
stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected
illness, disease, or injury. Eglin AFB is receiving a Fisher House,
and they want to to do their part to support that great program.
Race results will be posted on active.com.
Marty, Theresa, Charlotte, Alice and Joe gather at Charlotte's
Party Wagon! Post race refreshments helped cool the
runners after a hot, humid and hilly run on soft sandy jeep
trails near Egllin AFB.
Party Wagon! Post race refreshments helped cool the
runners after a hot, humid and hilly run on soft sandy jeep
trails near Egllin AFB.
| Draggin' Tail Runner |
Draggin' Tail Runners
7519 N. Gainer Bayou Rd.
Panama City, FL 32409
7519 N. Gainer Bayou Rd.
Panama City, FL 32409
Phone:
850-763-5005 or 850-265-8439 (E)
850-774-0018
850-774-0018
Email:
Directions to our group runs. Meet new runners and run a new course!
Group runs: Tuesday at 5:00 a.m. from the Wellness Center. Various speeds and distance.
Normally 7 miles. Wednesday at 5:10 pm. from the east side of the Garden Club track. 1/2 mile
intervals with warm ups and warm downs. Planning on 4 intervals for starters on January 12th.
Various speeds within the running group. Don't be shy. Sunday 7 a.m. from the Sunny Hills
Community Center. Long and slow runs. Pick a distance. More paved roads than you have time
for! Rolling hills! Great for training. Email me for directions at the address above or call. If you
have a good course and want company, we can help coordinate a group run, whether one time
or regularly.
Normally 7 miles. Wednesday at 5:10 pm. from the east side of the Garden Club track. 1/2 mile
intervals with warm ups and warm downs. Planning on 4 intervals for starters on January 12th.
Various speeds within the running group. Don't be shy. Sunday 7 a.m. from the Sunny Hills
Community Center. Long and slow runs. Pick a distance. More paved roads than you have time
for! Rolling hills! Great for training. Email me for directions at the address above or call. If you
have a good course and want company, we can help coordinate a group run, whether one time
or regularly.
We enjoy feedback:
Please contact us with any questions or feedback about the Draggin' Tail Runners.
Contact Us
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Torreya Friends: BR-Dewey, John 'Foto-Man"
Kalin, Hobson, Joe. FR-Jo Lena, Joe, Nadine
and Chris Dexter.
Kalin, Hobson, Joe. FR-Jo Lena, Joe, Nadine
and Chris Dexter.
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Panhandle Runners & Triathlete's Challenge the Swamp Ranger Run!
Marty Kirkland wins Grandmaster's female in the 10K. Joe
Edgecombe wins the 60+ category and Theresa Sullivan
wins her age group, 40-49.
Edgecombe wins the 60+ category and Theresa Sullivan
wins her age group, 40-49.
Joe stands if front of a C-130 transport
plane. The open house had great ehibits,
a car show along with parachuting and a
demonstration of Ranger training and
capabilities! Very Impressive!
plane. The open house had great ehibits,
a car show along with parachuting and a
demonstration of Ranger training and
capabilities! Very Impressive!