ATLANTIC OCEAN –
Three USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) Sailors completed the annual Marine Corps “Historic Half” Marathon at sea, May 17, 2020.
The half marathon, traditionally held annually in Fredericksburg, VA, was held virtually this year due to COVID-19 precautions. The three Sailors ran the 13.1 miles on treadmills in Donald Cook’s shipboard gym.
Chief Electrician’s Mate Martha Cordero had registered to complete the marathon in person and was disappointed when the event moved online. However, after expressing her disappointment in the ship’s office, she was met with enthusiasm by Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Woodward and Yeoman 3rd Class Anthony Nichols; now that the race was virtual, they would be able to participate as well.
The runners wore official Marine Corps “Historic Half” racing bibs while running, and they will receive finisher medals and certificates for having completed the race.
“The waves made it more difficult than it would have been on land, but after getting used to the motion I was cruising up until about mile eight or nine,” said Nichols.
Donald Cook’s Admin Division was extremely supportive of the three runners, coming to visit the treadmills and cheer on the participants.
Donald Cook, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its 10th patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.