Coast Guardsmen participate in 200-mile continuous marathon

BALTIMORE - Two bikers follow the respective runner on their team during the 12th annual Tom's Run marathon, June 5, 2010. The bikers assist the runners by switching with them if the runner is too tired, providing light in the dark and by providing water to the runner throughout the 200-mile marathon. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill

BALTIMORE - Roger Butturini, the director of Tom's Run since 2008, announces how many medals each team captain of Tom's Run needs for his or her respective team, June 5, 2010. Tom's Run is an annual 200-mile relay race from Cumberland, Md., to Bethesda, Md., in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Tom Brooks who passed away in 2004 due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill.

BALTIMORE - A team leader from Tom's Run picks up medals for her entire team at the Uniformed Services University of Health Services in Bethesda, Md., June 5, 2010. Each member that finished the 200-mile relay received a medal during a lunch in Bethesda. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill.

BALTIMORE - Members of Chris for Warrant, a 14-person team led by Special Agent Christopher Huntington, stop to display their medals following the 12th annual Tom's Run at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., June 5, 2010. Each member that finished the 200-mile relay received their respective medal at the end of the run during lunch. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill.

BALTIMORE - Medals are stacked on a table following the 12th annual Tom's Run, a 200-mile relay race from Cumberland, Md., to Bethesda, Md., June 5, 2010. Each member that finished the race was awarded a medal during lunch at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill.

BALTIMORE - Military members joined with friends and other runners to complete the 12th annual Tom’s Run, held Friday and Saturday from Cumberland Md., to Bethesda, Md.

Tom’s Run is a 200-mile continuous relay along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal held in memory of Tom Brooks, a retired chief warrant officer in the Coast Guard who passed away in 2004 after contracting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“We’re here because we're celebrating Tom’s philosophy, which is in conjunction with our Coast Guard values,” said Roger Butturini, the race director. “Tom’s philosophy was, ‘Get up -- go do something. Live a healthy lifestyle!’”

The event began 12 years ago after a group of Brooks’ friends decided that they would hold the event in his name as a tribute to his love for fitness and community. Brooks valued fitness and encouraged others throughout his life to pursue a life of fitness rather than sitting on a couch.

“We’re here because we’re celebrating community, teamwork, being able to get up and do something,” said Butturini. “That’s why we’re here, that’s why we’re doing this, because it brings us all together.”

“You get a group of people together, and you come out and run this amazing distance as a team,” said retired Lt. Cmdr. Mike Hershberger. “It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are. It’s just you're out here, and you do it together. It’s hard work, but it’s downright fun.”

“I think this year is the largest it’s ever been, which is really great to see,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Bippert, a former Tom’s Run race director.

More than 32 teams consisting of 552 people began the relay Friday after midnight. The teams took turns running throughout the night, sleeping in cars and on park benches whenever they could.

“To be able to finish up and know what you have accomplished with the help of your whole team and to be able to look back at all the adventures along the way -- those stories really carry you through to the next year, and we always look forward to this event each and every year,” said Bippert.

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