Story Created:
Mar 7, 2013
Story Updated:
Mar 7, 2013
They are running and biking the 465 miles to Tampa. And it's all for a good cause.
The military athletes are taking part in the Air Command and Staff College's Warrior Relay.
The Warrior Relay helps to raise funds and awareness for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides funds for families impacted by a parent's death in the military.
For many of the participants.... It is personal.
Major Sgt. Matt Astroth says, "Personally, I come from the Special Operations Community myself. I've lost friends along with most of the people here. They are all basically running on behalf of friends they have lost in combat. For me, I have a personal commitment to the event along with a lot of the other folks doing this with me."
The teams of cyclists and runners will switch off with a baton at every few phases of the journey from Maxwell Air Force Base to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
They hope they will be able to bring attention to their cause along the way.
"So others can see what we're doing and how much it means to us. And they can go and look and see what the foundation does and maybe become longtime supporters of the foundation," said Major Eric Turasz.
If you would like to learn more about the Warrior Relay, send an email to warriorrelay@gmail.com
More than sixty local military athletes hit the road Thursday for Florida - - But they aren't traveling by car.
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