ALCOAST 047/21 - FEB 2021 23rd ANNUAL TOM’S RUN RELAY

R 111843Z FEB 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST

UNCLAS
ALCOAST 047/21
SSIC 1710
SUBJ:  23rd ANNUAL TOM’S RUN RELAY
A. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences,
COMDTINST M1000.8 (series)
1. The Washington, DC Chapter of the Chief Warrant
and Warrant Officers Association (CWOA) hosts the
23rd Annual Tom’s Run from 4-6 June 2021. Tom’s Run
is a 200-mile team relay starting in Cumberland, MD
and ending near Mount Vernon, VA. The course proceeds
down the picturesque Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath
beside the Potomac River, along the Washington, DC
waterfront, and ends 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.
Note, Tom’s Run is not a fund raising event. At this
point, Tom's Run is being planned as an event over the
traditional race course and not virtual. However, as in
2021, the event could still be held virtually, depending
on local requirements. 
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,
but rather a team-building event to promote community,
cooperation, and planning. Teams can start running any
time after midnight Saturday 5 Jun, 0001 hours. For safety
reasons, at least one cyclist must accompany runners.
Teams must use their planning and logistics skills and
calculate how to reach the finish line with the other
teams at 1100 on Sunday 6 June. All teams must be self-
sufficient and must overcome any weather, equipment,
fatigue, and other challenges during the relay. 
4. The deadline for applications with race shirt or
medal orders is Monday, 19 April 2021. The deadline
for team applications without shirt or medal orders
is Monday, 3 May 2021. Team information, forms, course map,
and other documents are available at: http://www.tomsrunrelay.org/.
Submit all applications to LCDR Roger Butturini, USCG (ret)
by following directions on the Tom’s Run Relay web site and
team application. Contact Roger Butturini at 703-969-9106 or
tomsrunrelay@gmail.com for more information.
5. In accordance with paragraph 2.A.10 of REF (A),
administrative absence is authorized for active duty, reserve
and auxiliary event participants with command approval. Civilian
employees wishing to participate in this event may request annual
leave, accrued compensatory time off, earned credit hours
(if available), or leave without pay.
6. RADM Dana Thomas, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life
(CG-11), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.