Joint Task Force-East Press Release

U.S. service members participate in Timisoara Marathon, Half-Marathon

Joint Task Force-East
Public Affairs Office
Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base
Tel: 0040-241-60-8288
DSN: 770-8288

October 18, 2007
No. 20071018-1

TIMISOARA, Romania – U.S. service members assigned to Joint Task Force-East ran in the Timisoara Marathon and Half-Marathon here, on Oct. 14.

Thirteen of the service members ran the full marathon and 11 ran the half-marathon.

The top time by a JTF-East runner in the full marathon was from the U.S. Navy's Christopher Mayer at 3 hours, 54 minutes and 36 seconds putting him in 11th place.

The top time by a JTF-East female runner in the full marathon was from the U.S. Air Force's Chandra LeCompte at 4:19:18 putting her in 3rd place in the female category.

The top time by a JTF-East runner in the half marathon was from the U.S. Army's Justin Rhodes at 1:38:08 putting him in 20th place.

The top time by a JTF-East female runner in the half marathon was from the U.S. Army's Elisabeth Mondak at 1:57:37 putting her in 6th place in the female category.

LeCompte earned a third-place trophy in the female full marathon category, and the JTF-East team received a trophy for the largest team.

The organizer of the event, U.S. Army's Art LaFlamme said he organized the event after Maj. Gen. Frank Helmick, Southern European Task Force commander, found out that LaFlamme had run his first marathon in May of this year, and told him to "find a marathon in the area, put together a team, and run it."

"It was a fabulous experience," said LaFlamme. "We were treated like family everywhere we went."

"It was also great to see so many first-time runners fare so well," he said, "because running 13 miles is not easy."

This year's event was the 8th anniversary of the Timisoara Marathon. The marathon was organized by the Timisoara Local Council in collaboration with Athletic Club Marathon.

The competition started with 245 participants from more than 20 countries. The competition had two sport events: the half marathon (21.1 km) and the marathon (42.195 km). The marathon started in Huniade Square, and the finish line was in Victory Square.

All participants received medals and cups, and the winners were rewarded also with monetary prizes, according to race organizers.

For more information regarding the JTF-E Proof of Principle exercise please contact the JTF-E Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Troy Darr, 0040 241-608-288, email: troy.darr@us.army.mil or Ms. Alina Savu at alina.savu@eur.army.mil.

» Download Marathon Results
( Microsoft Excel Document, 37 KB)

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