Seven relay teams consisting of active military tackled 260 miles over two days as they ran across the state of Georgia from Columbus to Savannah as part of Run for the Heroes. Runners took off early Saturday morning at the National Infantry Museum.
The House of Heroes, a Columbus-based nonprofit organization that serves and rebuilds homes for military and public safety veterans who are disabled or faced with financial challenges, took a big step toward expanding into a national organization with the success of the marathon, which race organizers said raised $65,000 as of Tuesday. Teams have until Friday to make their donations.
“With that money, we’re able to repair more houses,” House of Heroes coordinator Susan Gerkin said. “It’s usually about $1,500 to sponsor a house.”
House of Heroes recently did its first projects outside Columbus in Texas and Indianapolis and this year’s marathon had runners from Tennessee and Mississippi.
“It’s bringing awareness of House of Heroes across and outside the state. In 2010, we actually worked on two houses in Savannah,” Gerkin said.
This marked the third year of the Run for the Heroes, which began with just one individual, John Teeples, a local construction owner and ultra-marathoner.
“In the first year, we had one individual runner and we raised just over $16,000,” Gerkin said. “In 2010, we had seven individual runners and four relay teams and we raised $60,000. This year we have six individuals and 17 relay teams and our goal is $75,000. It’s only going to get bigger and better.”
Eight Rangers from the Regimental Special Troops Battalion (RSTB), 75th Ranger Regiment, ran the relay race under the name of Team Sua Sponte. Team Sua Sponte dedicated its run to fallen comrades who were killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.
“Every member of this team has lost a comrade in combat,” Team Sua Sponte captain Clay Usie said. Usie said he was proud to run in honor of the veterans House of Heroes supports.
“It’s a sense of patriotism to help such a noble cause and give back a little bit. I think they’re trying to create a buzz that there are a lot of veterans and wounded warriors that need assistance. Every man here would be happy to run for them,” he said.
The individuals on most relay teams ran about 30-mile intervals.
The Rowdy Pickles team consisted of graduates and cadets from the Columbus State University ROTC program. Loraine Solis, who recently became a commissioned officer, said she considered everyone in the Army to be family.
“I’ve been surrounded by the Army families my entire life and veterans are a big part of it,” Solis said. “This event itself brings in the majority of the money the organization raises and being a part of it is really special.” Savannah hosted a post-race party for the runners near the city’s Vietnam Memorial.
The Zombie Parachutists had the best overall time of 34 hours, Team Sua Sponte had the best time of the military teams, 34:17:00, while the Miracle Runners had the best time of the civilian teams, 34:25:00.
Since 2000, House of Heroes has repaired 423 homes, around Georgia, including those in LaGrange, Ga., Albany, Ga., and Savannah, Ga.
For more information about House of Heroes, visit www.houseofheroes.org.
