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Warrior Way: Event to honor local heroes sees successful first run

Elizabethton Star - 7/25/2017

While Saturday was a hot and humid day, the weather didn't deter participants in the inaugural Warrior Way 10k from showing their support for local heroes.

More than 60 participants took part in Saturday's event, which was designed to "celebrate local heroes and those that believe in courage and the fighting spirit" according to event organizer Myles Cook.

Several representatives from local law enforcement and first responder agencies took part in the event as did first responders and officers from other communities. A number of veterans also took part in the event with every branch of the military represented. Some participants traveled several hours to be a part of the Warrior Way 10k.

As part of the event, participants raised more than $700 for the Wishes For Warriors organization, a national non-profit created to help veterans wounded of body or mind. The program helps veterans get outdoors and involved in physical activity as a means of coping with challenges.

Cook said the money will be donated to Wishes For Warriors in memory of Curtis Bartlett, a U.S. Army veteran and deputy with the Carroll County, Va., Sheriff's Office who died in the line of duty in March of this year.

"He was killed while in pursuit of a suspect," Cook said. "He was a pillar in the military and law enforcement fitness communities."

The event was a 10k walk, run, or ruck with an option for participants to complete a 5k instead. Many of those who took to the course were wearing ruck sacks or weighted vests. In addition to the adults who laced up their shoes for the event, some children took part as well. Some participants brought along their four-legged best friends to walk the course with them.

Both the 10k and 5k courses began at Crossfit Kolòna and followed the Tweetsie Trail. Those taking part in the 5k made their turn around at Holly Lane and headed back to Crossfit Kolòna. Those tackling the 10k continued along the Tweetsie Trail, turning to run through historic downtown and around the Veteran's Monument before heading back to Crossfit Kolòna.

Following a successful first showing for the Warrior Way 10k, Cook is looking forward to making the event an annual tradition for the community to come together and support each other.

"I was so happy with the turnout. It was exactly what I had hoped it would be," Cook said. "We will have another one next year and I hope the turnout doubles."