8K Run Jump Starts Buffalo Navy Week

Aug 27, 2008 by Navy News

Jeremy J. Siegrist

BUFFALO, New York (NNS) -- Buffalo Navy Week got underway Aug. 24 when more than 150 participants took part in a Navy-sponsored 8K run Aug. 24.

The run marked the first event of the day. A ceremony kicking off the entire week's line-up of activities took place later in the afternoon.

Runners crowded the starting line as Buffalo native Rear Adm. Mike Lyden, director of Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations in the Office of Chief of Naval Operations, pulled the trigger on the starter's pistol to get the crowd moving. Participants took off on a predetermined route at 9 a.m.

Race coordinators at the Buffalo Naval Operational Support Center (NOSC) worked for months to coordinate and facilitate the race.

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"Getting the Navy involved in the community and putting an event like this together is a real accomplishment," said Personnelman First Class Amber O'Daniels.

"We strive in the Navy to try and cultivate a culture of fitness and having a public event like this really drives it home for a lot of people."

Army Capt. Eric Heely, who is getting ready for an upcoming deployment, won in the men's division with a time of 27:16. Meghan Nolan ran the route in 29:33, winning in the women's division.

Each contestant received a T-shirt and dog-tags to add a military flare to the race. The awards for the race were presented on the deck of USS Little Rock (CL-92/CLG-4). During the awards ceremony, NOSC Commanding Officer Joseph Whalen expressed great enthusiasm and vowed to try and make this an annual event.

In addition to the race, this year's Navy Week in Buffalo features nightly concerts by Rhode Island Sound, one of the Navy's travelling bands.

Exhibits throughout the week will include the Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal dive tank, the Accelerate Your Life exhibit and the Navy Suburban.

All of the performers and exhibits are centered around Buffalo's Central wharf, home to USS Little Rock (CL-92/CLG-4), the Croaker (SS-246/SSK -246) and USS The Sullivans (DD-537). All these vessels are decommissioned and serve as floating museums showcasing the Navy and its heritage in Buffalo at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park.

For more news from Navy Recruiting District Pittsburgh, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrdpittsburgh/.


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