The Army Veteran
Retuning From His Second Tour
SEATTLE (November
25, 2007) --- After
months of training in the dark nights of Iraq to the bright, clean streets
of Seattle, United States Army Spc. David Bruce Hardt will hit the ground
running in honor of his 48 fallen comrades during the University of
Washington Medical Center Seattle Marathon 2007 on Sunday, November
25 beginning at 8:15 a.m. from 5th Avenue between Harrison and Mercer
Streets, east of the Experience Music Project in Seattle. Originally from San Bernardino,
Calif., and nearing four years of active duty service, Hardt is returning
from two tours in Iraq serving with the Army’s 3rd Brigade, 2nd
Infantry Division, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry C Company, 2nd Platoon
Reapers at Fort Lewis located in Pierce County, Washington. On April
14, 2004, Hardt was wounded in combat and was subsequently awarded the
Purple Heart. “During my two tours
in Iraq our unit lost several soldiers as they served their country
with respect and dignity,” states Hardt. “It’s but
a small gesture and big privilege for me to be able to return to the
United States and run in the Seattle Marathon in recognition of their
outstanding service and ultimate sacrifice for our country. I hope to
honor their memory while saluting their families.” The Seattle Marathon is in
its 37th year and for the first time will award a first, second, and
third place overall award in the full and half marathon for men and
women who are active military. The events include the marathon run,
half marathon run, marathon walk and half marathon walk on a rolling
course with hilly sections and scenic views of downtown Seattle and
Lake Washington. “We are fortunate to
have Spc. Hardt returning safely to the United States and ready to participate
in this year’s marathon in honor of those soldiers from Fort Lewis
that he proudly served with, but will not be returning home,”
said John Kokes, president of Seattle Marathon Association. The UW Medical Center is
the title sponsor of the 2007 Seattle Marathon, with proceeds to benefit
the UWMC Patient and Family Housing Fund. The fund provides local and
affordable housing for transplant patients, their families, and others
who travel long distances for specialized medical care. Hardt has been training for
this marathon nearly all his life. He began running at 15 and won his
first race in junior high school in the two mile run. He eventually
ran cross-country for San Gorgonio High School and the San Bernardino
Valley College. At the time Hardt was the oldest runner on the team
earning him the nickname “The Horse” due to his agility,
smoothness and speed. He has run 15 full marathons, 11 half marathons
and more than 50 short races, each one finishing in the top of his age
group. With his two tours in Iraq
his nickname has been modified to “The Iron Horse” for his
rigid training schedule and commitment. Hardt runs nearly 40 miles per
week mostly in the complete darkness in the late night or early morning
hours. While in Iraq, he wrote the
popular blog, David Hardt In Iraq, which can be found at http://blog-ah.typepad.com/blogah/2007/09/david-hardt-i-5.html.
The blog provided a forum to share Iraq experiences and perspectives,
soldier and unit updates, and general information relating to the mission.
He also contributed to The Fort Lewis Ranger newspaper. Hardt’s unit is now
in the process of returning to the United States after a 15-month tour
in Iraq. About Fort Lewis About Seattle Marathon
2007
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