ALCGPSC 013/18 - 20TH ANNUAL TOM'S RUN RELAY

1.  The Washington, DC Chapter of the Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association
(CWOA) hosts the 20th Annual Tom’s Run Relay from 31 May to 2 June 2018.  Tom’s Run is a
200-mile team relay starting in Cumberland, MD and ending near Mount Vernon, VA.  The local
course proceeds down the picturesque Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath alongside the
Potomac River, through the Washington, DC waterfront and memorials, and ending at Fort Hunt
Park, VA.  Because of the unique way Tom’s Run is organized, runners not located in the
National Capital Region can join Tom’s Run virtually by arranging to run the equivalent of a
relay leg in their location or by building their own remote team.  USCG teams from all over the
U.S. and several Coast Guard cutters have participated remotely by organizing their own events. 
2.  All Coast Guard active duty, reserve, auxiliary, and civilian personnel are eligible to
participate.  The event is also open to other military services and the general public.
3.  Tom’s Run honors CWO4 Tom Brooks and his belief in our Coast Guard community.  CWO4
Brooks was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
in early 1999 and later succumbed to the illness.  Tom’s Run is unique in that it is not a
competitive race to see which team can finish 200 miles the fastest, but rather a team-building
event to promote solidarity, cooperation, and planning, with all teams finishing together in a
demonstration of community and showcasing many USCG skills and values.  Each team includes
runners and cyclists and may begin anytime on Friday, 1 June, 0001 hours or later.  For safety
reasons, runners must always be accompanied by at least one cyclist.  Teams must use their
planning and logistics skills to determine the appropriate number of members, their running paces,
and their running and biking capabilities to meet the goal of everyone finishing together at 1100
on Saturday 2 June 2018.  All teams must be self-sufficient along the course and must overcome
any weather, equipment, fatigue, and other challenges during the relay.
4.  The deadline for applications with race shirt orders is Monday 16 April 2018.  The deadline
for team applications without shirt orders is Tuesday 1 May 2018.  Team information,
downloadable forms, course map, and other documents are available at
http://www.tomsrunrelay.org/.  Submit all applications to LCDR Roger Butturini, USCG (ret),
7134 Bunker Hill Road, The Plains, VA, 20198, or by following directions on the Tom’s Run
Relay web site.  For more information, please contact Roger Butturini at 202-372-1494 or
through admin@tomsrunrelay.org.
5.  This announcement is provided for awareness only. The 20th annual Tom’s Run Relay hosted
by the CWOA is not affiliated with the Coast Guard MWR program or any other military
service’s MWR program.
6.  Released by: RDML M. T. Bell Jr., Commander, CG Personnel Service Center.  The Service
Center for our most important resource – Our People.
7.  Internet release authorized.