Boots On The Ground: Escambia Men To Run Pcola Marathon For Wounded Warrior Project

May 28, 2012

On November 11, 2012, a pair of friends — one a dedicated Army veteran and the other a civilian — will be two of nearly 1,600 people running the Pensacola Marathon.

However, Brad King and Alan Moses will not be wearing the normal athletic running gear associated with a 26.2 mile race.  Rather, they’ll be running the Pensacola Marathon in military boots and a 50 pound ruck sack in an effort to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

“This challenge is my attempt to say ‘Thank You’ to these heroes,” commented Brad King, former Army Ranger.  “Without these men and women who selflessly continue to leave their families at home and put themselves in harm’s way, we would not be the strong and proud Country we are today.”

The Pensacola Marathon, a Boston Marathon Qualifier, also features a half marathon course (13.1 miles).  Runners are greeted by a beautiful sunrise over Pensacola Bay as the course winds through historic neighborhoods, the downtown district, views of Pensacola Bay, and finishes at Veteran’s Park, home to the country’s only replica of the National Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Alan Moses is a lifelong resident of Gulf Breeze, a small coastal community between Pensacola and Pensacola Beach.  “When Brad approached me about running the Pensacola Marathon with a 50 pound ruck sack, AND wearing boots, I told him he needed to start wearing more sunscreen,” Moses jokingly commented.  “However, after much thought and research, I realized there could not be a more appropriate way to offer up my gratitude to those who have sacrificed so much to defend the freedoms I often take for granted.”

People can contribute to the fundraiser by visiting the events website at www.marathonpensacola.com or by e-mailing Brad King at bradwick.king@yahoo.com.

The Wounded Warrior Project is a not-for-profit whose mission is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.  They rely on this type of fundraiser and many more to help injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct program and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

“We are thrilled these two men chose the Pensacola Marathon as a vehicle to spread the word and raise money for such a great cause as the Wounded Warrior Project,” said Ray Palmer, Executive Director of the Pensacola Sports Association, the race’s management organization.  “We have such a strong active and retired military presence in the Pensacola area so this fits perfectly.  We congratulate and wish these gentlemen the best of luck in raising funds and for their efforts in running the Pensacola Marathon in November.”

Comments

Comments are closed.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports