Racing even without the ChampionChip, Army does two 10Ks in Iraq this week.

A lot of runners may think organizing a 10K is a big undertaking. But organizing two 10Ks, back to back, in hostile enemy territory in the desert of Iraq is something altogether different.

The Camp India and Abu Ghraib Internment Facility 10Ks were held on March 27 and 28, 2007 in Al Anbar Province Iraq with the intention of stoking the competitive fire of a tightly knit group of American service members in the 3rd Battalion, 4th Bridge, and 1st Iraqi Army Military Transition Team (MiTT) as they approach the conclusion of a long deployment in hostile territory.

"We're under 100 days before we come home," Major Chris Brooks told the Richmond Times Dispatch in a special phone interview. "This is to help us think about something other than going home. This gives us something else to focus on."

In photo above Corporal Angel Ortiz breaks the tape at the Camp India 10K.

The idea to run a 10K at Camp India and Abu Ghraib was launched by Major Brooks, an Army reservist who, when not deployed, resides in Mechanicsville, VA near Richmond. Having enjoyed the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K, Richmond's premier running event, as a family event with his wife, Lisa Clemmer, and their daughter for the past two years, it was natural for him to reach out to the Richmond Sports Backers for their help in getting satellite version of his beloved Richmond race in Iraq.

The Sports Backers promptly declared the Major Brooks and his men honorary entrants in the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K and sent over race participant T-shirts. They also solicited members of Virginia's Congressional delegation -- Representative Eric Cantor, Senator James Webb, and Senator John Warner representing Richmond -- to write letters of commendation for the service members' efforts. All three politicians gladly complied and those letters are en route to Iraq with the T-shirts.

In all, 18 runners participated at both sites. Captain Ian Iracheta won on the Abu Ghraib course with a time of 48:16. He took the overall title as his time bested all the Camp India runners. Private First Class John Chase was second at Abu Ghraib and second overall, race with a time of 49:13. Corporal Angel Ortiz, first at Camp India was third overall with a 52:55.

In photo above Captain Ian Iracheta tucks in behind Private First Class John Chase.

Race Results

SFC Randall Barbee, 39, from Lombard, Illinois, he is an Army 
Reservist from 801st Combat Support Hospital, he is the team's 
Communications Advisor AGIF 1:07:33

MAJ Chris Brooks, 40, from Mechanicsville, Virginia, he is an 
Army Reservist from 429th QM BN, 99th RRC, he is the 
Headquarters Advisor and Executive Officer for the team Camp 
India 1:11:15

HM3 Darrell Brown, 30, from Oceanside, California, he is a Navy 
Corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Camp India 1:8:55

PFC John Chase, 19, from Woodbine, Iowa, he is a Marine from 
2nd Battalion, 7th Marines AGIF 49:13 Second Place AGIF 
Second Place Overall

LCPL Kyle Dorthey, 20, from Peoria, Illinois, he is a Marine 
from 8th Regiment Camp India 1:42:00 

MAJ Kent Hyde, 39, from Belmont, North Carolina, he is a 
Reservist from 108th DIV (IT) and is the Team Leader Camp India 
1:26:30

PFC Leo Ibarra, 19, from Brawley, California, he is a Marine 
from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Camp India 1:42:00

CPT Ian Iracheta, 30, from Fort Polk, Louisiana, he is an 
active duty soldier from 10th Mountain Division, he is the 
team's Fire Effects officer
AGIF 48:16 First Place AGIF and Overall

LCPL Tyler Koob, 20, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he is a Marine 
from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines AGIF Scratched due to foot 
problem

SFC Mark Mackey, 36, from Franklin, Pennsylvania, he is an 
active duty Soldier from 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, 
he is the Fire Effects NCO
Camp India 1:13:34

CPT Mike McLain,  31, from Indianapolis, Indiana, he is a 
Reservist from the 206th ASG, he is the team's Logistics 
Advisor AGIF 1:19:00 

CPL Angel Ortiz, 21, from Freemont, California, he is a Marine 
from 2nd Battalion, 7th  Marines Camp India 52:55 First 
Place finisher at Camp India

MSG Felipe Rodriguez, 49, from Puerto Rico, he is a Reservist 
from 65th RRC, he is the team's Intelligence NCO Camp India 
1:09:34

SSG John Thompson, 35, from Lynhurst, New Jersey, he is an 
active duty soldier from 412th Aviation, he is the team's 
Medical advisor AGIF 1:21:05

LCPL Sergio Trujillo, 22, from Yoakum, Texas, he is a Marine 
from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Camp India 1:42:00

CPT Scott Turner, 32, North East, Maryland, he is a Reservist 
from ARUCM, 99th RRC, he is the team's Intelligence Advisor
Camp India 1:09:34

CPL Christopher Wright, 23, Yuma, Arizona, he is a Marine from 
2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Camp India 53:30

In photo below, Camp India Runners on 27 March 2007 Rear l-r: MAJ Hyde, CPT Turner, PVT Ibarra, LCPL Trujillo, LCPL Dorthey, CPL Wright. Front l-r: SFC Mackey, MAJ Brooks, CPL Ortiz, MSG Rodriguez, HM3 (FMF) Brown

In photo below, AGIF Runners on 28 March 2007 l-r: CPT McLain, PFC Chase, CPT Iracheta, SFC Barbee, SSG Thompson

Below, racing along the formidable wall, Dirt the Dog joins the race.