JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
As any runner will tell you, running 26.2 miles is no small feat. Just imagine accomplishing that feat for the first time ever... in West Africa... in a torrential downpour.
An Airman from the 633rd Medical Operations Squadron recently did just that.
Staff Sgt. Mauricio Pasquale, an independent duty medical technician, is currently deployed to Camp Edward Binyah Kesselly, Monrovia, Liberia. He said he couldn't pass up the chance to be part of history.
"I thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run my first marathon in West Africa, and also to make history since it was Liberia's first-ever marathon," said Pasquale, who finished the marathon in 5 hours, 13 minutes.
Pasquale is deployed as part of Operation Onward Liberty, The joint team of Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen are mentoring and advising Armed Forces of Liberia personnel as part of a U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Defense initiative designed to continue the United States' support to the government of Liberia and the ongoing reform of its defense sector through the Liberian Defense Sector Reform program.
"We are in a remote location in Liberia. My primary mission it to provide quality medical care to the Airmen, Soldiers and Marines that compose Operation Onward Liberty as well as to mentor and train Armed Forces of Liberia combat medics," said Pasquale.
Close to a thousand people turned out to run in the marathon, including five other Airmen from Camp EBK. There was also a 10 kilometer race, an amputee race and a wheelchair race. Ethiopian runner Mehari Gebre, who flew into Liberia to take part, took the gold.
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who ran part of the 10km race, spoke at the closing ceremony and jokingly made a comment about the spectacular Liberian rain the runners had to contend with.
'This is the real Liberia, a country situated in the rainforest belt of Africa," said Sirleaf. "It is really the only way for one to experience the 'real' Liberia."
Pasquale said the time he spent training, and actually running the race was grueling, but worthwhile.
"I learned that hard work pays off. I spent many days training and sweating for this run, but it was all worth it when I crossed the finish line," said Pasquale. "I would definitely do it again and I would encourage anyone to challenge themselves and come out and run."