Run with the Troops during the Thunder Rumble on Saturday

thunder rumble
Soldiers will run again in formation as they did last year. Photo credit: Melanie Barrow, Bodhikai Imagery
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By Jean Janes

Olympia Auto Mall sponsorImagine a gorgeous summer day in Turnwater, Washington. Crowds gather and mingle near booths for water and running paraphernalia. Joggers and runners warm up while the anticipation of a race about to begin electrifies the already buzzing atmosphere. American flags fly proudly at the starting line, and at 8:30 a.m., a cannon boom starts a tremendous mass of runners on their way.

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The Thunder Rumble is a family friendly 5k or 10k run. Photo credit: Melanie Barrow, Bodhikai Imagery

This will be the second annual Thunder Rumble, a 5k and 10k race taking place on Saturday, August 16 near the corner of 78th Avenue SW and Center Street SW in Tumwater. While all races have an element of excitement and fun about them, this event is special. The military and the local civilians are teaming up to run, raise money, and celebrate their community spirit.

At last year’s Thunder Rumble, Captain Jeanette Rivera attended as a volunteer. This year, she’ll be participating as a runner, specifically in the 10k. Already familiar with weekend running, Rivera explains, “I enjoy getting out on the weekends and running a 5k every now and then. So, for me, it’s kind of fun.”

The Thunder Rumble, though, is about more than just the fun. Funds raised at this run will be used to aid families and soldiers of the 17 Field Artillery Brigade, the brigade in which Rivera is a soldier. “I wanted to kind of basically support them as well as the AUSA (Association of the United States Army).”

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Civilians and soldiers participate together in the Thunder Rumble, a community run. Photo credit: Melanie Barrow, Bodhikai Imagery

As a volunteer during the 2013 Thunder Rumble, Rivera helped pass out water, prepare running packets, and set up tents and booths for local business sponsors. Soldiers and civilians working together to create and then run in this race was memorable and meaningful. Rivera articulates this sentiment, saying, “It’s interesting to see the dynamics of the community involvement with the military. It kind of showed that whole aspect of us coming together as a community—the military and the civilians. I always hear that a lot, of us partnering with the community, and seeing the Thunder Rumble was actually seeing that initiative in action.”

At its core, the Thunder Rumble is a family oriented event. Last year, soldiers brought their families to the race to cheer and to participate. Rivera recalls, “The chaplain brought his wife, and our XO brought his little kids. I think he did a stroller race.” Soldiers and their leaders “decided to come out and support and they also incorporated their families into it which was kind of cool.” She laughs, “I think there were a couple of people who brought their dogs out to run, too.”

Rivera goes on to describe the unique quality of this event. “I think it’s kind of neat, last year, to see how the civilians who were running the race respond to the soldiers out there.”

thunder rumble
Soldiers will run again in formation as they did last year. Photo credit: Melanie Barrow, Bodhikai Imagery

Soldiers ran in formation, singing cadences behind their organizational flags, or “guidons,” held aloft and proud. “I’ve never really seen something like that, where, you know, you see soldiers with guidons and they’re singing cadences, and then you see like these really avid runners who are out there as well.” Loud and proud, civilians and soldiers ran with a common purpose, to support the military families in their shared community.

Rivera maintains that the experience is worth repeating. She says, “It was a really cool atmosphere and that’s why I wanted to run it this year.”

This year will not disappoint. A battalion of 300 soldiers will participate in the 5k, running in formation and singing military cadence, a display of Army pride not to be missed. Additionally, the deployed components of the 17 Field Artillery will be participating from overseas via satellite feed. This shadow run will occur in tandem with the 5k race here.

Also, from Kuwait, Colonel Tim Kehoe will address spectators and runners. American flags will once again mark the starting line thanks to wear blue: run to remember. This is an event of epic patriotic proportions, with proceeds donated to military families in need.

There are many ways to participate. Besides running, volunteers are welcome. Contact information is available on the Thunder Rumble Facebook page. Cheering and enthusiasm is always a welcome contribution, reminding runners that they have the support of both the AUSA and the local community.

Rivera sums it up, saying, “If you like to run and you’re interested in doing something next weekend, it’s a pretty fun, low-key event. Just come out and support it, and kind of see what it’s about.”

 

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