Army/Air Guard winners join ‘All Guard’ Marathon Team

Army/Air Guard winners join ‘All Guard’ Marathon Team

Nebraska National Guard
Monday, June 4, 2018

More than 160 Army and Air National Guard soldiers and airmen from 45 states and two territories competed in the 41st Annual Lincoln National Guard Marathon in early May.

According to the National Guard marathon coordinator, Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Sterns, the competition is designed to promote physical fitness and military readiness in the National Guard.

The top runners will be selected to become members of the 2018 “All Guard” Marathon Team that travels to promote the National Guard and assist in recruiting and retention efforts across the United States.

Top winners

  • D.C. National Guard Capt. Kenny Rayner of Alexandria, Va., overall male winner with an unofficial time of 2:38:55.
  • Florida National Guard Capt. Kimberly Quinn of Gainesville, Fla., overall female winner with an unofficial time of 3:11:29. (See editor’s note below.)
  • Indiana National Guard Team was named the overall National Guard team winner of the marathon.

Sterns said the marathon promotes both local and national levels of the Army and Air National Guard to include the Military Competitions Programs.

Florida National Guard Capt. Kimberly Quinn was named the overall female National Guard winner with an unofficial time of 3:11:29. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jamie Titus)

The marathon program additionally encourages and enhances the National Guard retention program by instilling physical fitness, self-discipline and esprit de corps among National Guard members from all 50 states and U.S. territories.

“The Lincoln National Guard Marathon is an important event that brings soldiers and airmen together with the local community to promote health and fitness within the State of Nebraska,” Sterns said.

Adding, “As National Guard members it also instills camaraderie among the runners who come from all over the United States and territories to compete.”

Along with the traditional runners, 10 National Guard soldiers and airmen ruck marched the half-marathon distance in honor and memory of fallen and deceased service members from across all branches of the military.

(Editor’s note: Capt. Kimberly Quinn, the overall female winner, is a member of the Association of the U.S. Army’s First Militia Chapter, Gainesville, Fla.)