3rd BCT Holds 'Country’s Barbecue Fun Run'

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd BCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers of 3rd Brigade Combat Team took part in a fun run Sunday at FOB Hammer to support the Country’s Barbecue 5k Run in Columbus, Ga.

Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and civilian workers who live on FOB Hammer gathered in front of the brigade headquarters building in the early morning to participate in a 5k fun run, one hour before the Columbus, Ga., restaurant kicked off its run of the same distance.

Before the run began, Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., of Prince George’s County, Md., 3rd BCT commander, spoke live to the friends and family of the brigade, in Columbus, Ga., where the brigade’s home station is located, who gathered for the event. After going on air, Grigsby, along with Command Sgt. Maj. James Pearson, of Philadelphia, ran to join their “Sledgehammer” Soldiers to start the run.

While some Soldiers were giving their best efforts to cross the finish line before their buddies, others were putting on their best face in front of the camera talking to their family members who were waiting in the rain for the Country’s Barbecue Run to start.

“I wanna thank God for my smokin’ hot wife,” said Capt. Sean Morrow, operations officer for 3rd BCT, on air, quoting a line from the movie, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”

Coming in first place for the males was Sgt. Maj. Willie Washington, of Townsend, Ga., non-commissioned officer in charge of the 3rd BCT human resources office. The first female to cross the finish line was Air Force Capt. Megan Leitch, of Fairfax, Va., director of operations for the 557th Expeditionary “Red Horse” Squadron.

The Country’s Barbecue 5k Run was the third run the 3rd BCT has participated in as a unit. The brigade also held the Army Birthday 5k Fun Run June 14, and the Hotter Than Hades One-Mile Run July 4.

After the run, Grigsby and Pearson returned to the camera with the top three male and female runners. Grigsby introduced each of them, and then, with Pearson, raised his hand to start the Country’s Barbecue Run in Columbus.

“On your mark, get set, go!” yelled the leaders to begin the run, more than 6,000 miles away.

Grigsby sent his deepest “thank you” to everyone who participated in the run to include: Country’s Barbecue, WXTX-TV and WTVM-TV in Columbus, and all the friends and families of the 3rd HBCT for their love and support.

FOB Hammer Fun Run Video