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Tallil Marathon

Two soldiers of the Tennessee Army National Guard were among 250 soldiers to take part in Iraq's Boston Marathon held in southern Iraq this week.

Sergeant Tammie Terrell-Floyd (left) of Louisville, Kentucky and Specialist Michael Cooper (right), of Jackson, Tennessee are members of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 194th Engineer Brigade (TA), Tennessee Army National Guard, Jackson, Tennessee. They are deployed in Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06. Both soldiers finished the 26.2 mile run.

Captain Rodney Freeman who is the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Officer at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, organized the marathon to coincide with the Boston Marathon. Outdoor Life Network banners were posted along the route and a video team sent television segments back to the U.S. for showing during the Boston event.

For finishing the marathon, SGT Floyd and SPC Cooper were awarded the same medal and certificate as runners in Boston received.

Story and photos by SFC Pete Quinton, S-5/PAO,
194th Engineer Brigade (TA)
Tennessee Army National Guard
Tallil, AB, Iraq