COLUMBUS, Ohio –
A group of current and former Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime associates completed a charity relay run crossing half of Ohio to raise funds for cancer research.
The run began at Genoa Park in downtown Columbus on the evening of Aug. 26 and continued throughout the night, finishing nearly 24-hours later at Friendship Park in Cincinnati.
The team from DLA named “Are We There Yet?” was made up of current associates Mindy Cook, Kelly Cottongim, Kendall Cottongim, Army Col. Yee Hang, Todd Lewis, Megan Rodino, and Mindy Tisone, along with former associate Eric Rodino.
The rules of the run dictated that only one member of each eight-person team could run at any given time, and participants were required to cross a checkpoint before they could pass the “torch” to the next runner on their team.
Director of Land Supplier Operations and team captain Hang said that despite poor weather conditions near the end of the route, the team was able to complete a total of 131 miles and raise nearly $4,000.
“It was an honor to run this relay with such great people,” Hang said. “Although we didn't get much sleep, it was such a rewarding experience that we’re all looking forward to running again next year.”
There were a total of 10 teams participating in this year’s C2C run and they collectively raised more than $58,000. That money will support programs and help finance research sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
Team member Mindy Clark is the daughter of a cancer survivor. The Land and Maritime contracting officer says her motivation for running is to honor those affected by cancer and to help find a cure.
“I run for those I never had the chance to meet and the ones I lost too soon,” Clark said.
“Together we’re motivated to honor and remember. Together, we can finish the fight against cancer.”