MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- Ten Marines and five Sailors participated in the Association of the United States Army's 40-mile relay race from the National Training Center Fort Irwin to the Barstow Veteran's Home Saturday.
The 11th annual relay-race event was a grueling race that tested both mental and physical ability.
"I'm not gonna lie, but those hills that you have to run up around the 14 mile mark, and you know you're not even half way done yet, are very unmotivating," said Lance Cpl. Farhan Ahmed, construction wireman for the communications division.
A 20-member Army team from the 557th Maintenance Company, Corps Support Battalion won the race, crossing the finish line in a time of four hours, 16 minutes, and seven seconds.
The Marine Corps Logistics Base team placed 3rd out of eight teams overall in the military division with a final time of five hours, six minutes, 11 seconds.
The six year's running champions from the Barstow High School, did not compete in this year's relay run because of conflicting schedules with a track meet.
The race is put on each year by the AUSA to raise money from sponsors to give back to the servicemembers, said Peggy Teal, relay race coordinator. The money helps to buy gift baskets for deployed service members during the holidays, and is also used to buy awards, such as savings bonds or dress greens or dress blues for soldiers who earn the distinguished title of, Soldier of the Year.
The race typically raises several thousand dollars for its cause.
After the race, participants enjoyed a barbecue at the veteran's home, and an awards ceremony, where runners could enjoy their efforts and mingle with the veterans who attended the event.