NICHOLS HILLS, Oklahoma -
The war in
Afghanistan is about as far as you can get from the annual springtime Redbud
Classic through Nichols Hills. And that is exactly why soldiers say they
are doing it.
Some of Oklahoma's
Finest will be running the Redbud Classic this year while they are in Afghanistan.
For the first time, around 50 soldiers from four bases across Afghanistan will
be running the mirror race. Soldiers say it's a big morale booster for those
serving and their loved ones.
"Just something to
remind us of home," said Sgt. Chad Beals, who came up with the idea. "We're
getting through the halfway point of our tour. We're getting homesick, so we're
trying to do things that remind us of home,"
So Beals sent an email
to Redbud organizers.
"At first I was
like ‘You get on-line,' and then I was like ‘You're in Afghanistan? Well
yeah, let's help you out here'," said Redbud Executive Director, Patty Anthony.
From there the
idea blossomed. Patty Anthony and her crew have sent soldiers T-shirts,
bibs and race day starting line banners, and of course waved all race
fees. So even though the race course may be a lot different, race
organizers have tried to make it as much like home as possible.
"Personally it's just
kind of touched my heart to know that this is something we can do for people
who are over there risking their lives every day," said Suzanne Chew, Redbud PR
Coordinator.
And now even some
of the soldiers' wives and girlfriends will be running the race too.
"I'm excited for
us to be able to do something simultaneously, essentially you know being close
to 7000 miles apart," said Capt. Jonathan Naber.
Those soldiers are supposed to come home this fall. The
Redbud is set for April 6 and 7, and there's still time to register.
Learn more about this year's race.
Some of Oklahoma's Finest will be running the Redbud Classic this year while they are in Afghanistan.
