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Runners get muddy at USO fundraiser

  • Published
  • By Christi Spargur
  • 375th Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The United Service Organization of Missouri held its first Cross Country 5K Mud Run June 6 at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Ill. Almost 400 runners participated in team and individual categories by age. 

As the USO relies solely on the donations of individuals and businesses, the event was a fundraiser to support USO programs like their facility at St. Louis International Airport. It also supports the United Through Reading initiative, which allows deploying service members to videotape themselves reading a children's book. A copy of the tape and book are given to the deployed member's child. 

"We wanted to do something different," said Ron Capek, project manager and member of the USO of Missouri's board of directors. "There are not many mud runs in the Midwest. 

"We also wanted to reach out to a younger audience, teenagers and college students," said Mr. Capek. "Many of them have not had the opportunity to serve in the military. They don't know about the USO or what we do for the military." 

Sara Colvin, USO of Missouri's director of special events and communications, estimated 90 percent of the 400 runners were civilian. Many of these people have never had the chance to do or see anything military related, she said, like the presenting of the colors by the U.S. Transportation Command's Joint Service Color Guard team which kicked off the opening ceremony. 

"This is my first race," said runner Kim Schuhardt. "I'm not in or with the military but a lot of my neighbors are. I want to do as much as we can for the military because everything the military does for us is greatly appreciated." 

The USO hopes to build on the success of its first mud run. "We are pleased at the turn out," said Kathy O'Connor, executive director. 

"This is a good first start," said Mr. Capek. "With this one, we were learning how to put a mud run together. We hope it is something that will catch on and will attract several thousand runners in the future. We also would like to expand it into a 10K course."
By initial estimates, the event raised $5,000 to $6,000 for the USO of Missouri. All of those funds will be used on programs that support servicemembers and their families.