Clarksville Half Marathon

2009-10-18T00:11:00.001-05:00

http://cvhalfmarathon.allsportcentral.com/on_the_trail/showArticle.cfm?ArticleID=597

CPT Ben Tiffner. Hero Remembered.
By Ben Tiffner's Family. 2009
October 17, 2009Clarksville , TN

BIB Number 536 will be registered to Ben by his friends and family for his love of running. The above information was provided by Ben's family. Thank you Tiffner family and we keep you and all of our military families close to our hearts.

Captain Benjamin David Tiffner, 31, was killed in action Wednesday, November 7, 2007 when his vehicle was struck by an IED while conducting a combat operation in Baghdad, Iraq. Benjamin lived near Nashville, TN and was preceded in death by his grandfather, Lewis Edgar Tiffner, Retired US Army, Command Sergeant Major. Benjamin is survived by his parents, Timothy and Judith Tiffner, two sisters, Rebekah Crain and Sarah Tiffner, and two brothers, Joshua and Seth Tiffner.
Early in life, Benjamin planned to join the military. At 19, he enrolled at the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 2000. After Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Airborne School and Ranger School, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment., at Fort Lewis, Wash., and served as an infantry platoon leader, reconnaissance platoon leader, and company executive officer. He served in Iraq from November 2003 to March 2004. Upon graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in April 2006, he was assigned to 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, KY. At the time of his death, Captain Tiffner was a Special Forces Operational Detachment – Team Leader for ODA 5136.
His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab.
Ben grew up both in the Philippines, where his family served as missionaries, and later in the Charleston, West Virginia area. While in high school, Ben played varsity basketball and soccer at Cross Lanes Christian School. He was home-schooled his last three years of high school. He loved competitive sports and hunting, and throughout his career in the Army Ben demonstrated an unusual passion for excellence combined with real personal humility. By God’s grace, Ben’s thoroughly-converted character made him an outstanding leader, counselor, soldier, friend, son, and brother.
Benjamin died a Christian, heartily fulfilling his calling from God. He had talked with his family the day of the attack. To his parents and sister, Ben expressed concern for the spiritual needs surrounding him and resounding confidence that he was where God had led him, Ben confidently stated that he and his men were making a difference in the war effort. In his earthly life, Benjamin Tiffner was wholly dedicated to praising the glorious grace of his God.

OVER 350 Registered!!

2009-08-29T23:42:00.002-05:00

If you were one of the first 200 registered participants for the Half Marathon, do not forget to pick up your Awesome 101st Airborne Hat at the Expo!!. If you know someone that is running for a cause or with a group, please tell your story on the blog and let us know!! Urge a friend to run.. to walk.. to be involed, to volunteer or just come to support a hometown event. Support Clarksville. See you at the race.

Almost 160 entries!!!

2009-07-21T22:02:00.002-05:00

We are on a roll!! Almost 160 entries and registering everyday. Just a few updates.
We have paper registrations now. Download this form here and send it in. This is a great addition. Remember, the first two hundred people that register will receive a special gift from the Wings of Liberty museum. Personnel will receive this gift at the Expo on November 6 at the Riverview Inn. Also, FIRST COMMAND, Click here, just signed on to be a supporting sponsor and we are very glad to have them. They will be presenting the Wings of Liberty Military Challenge award.

We are receiving entries all the way from New York. If you have a special story about why you are running or walking this event, please let us know. Read the latest in the The Leaf Chronicle Trotting Tatas!! First Female Half-Marathon Team. It is a heart warming story about a few local females battling for their health. Check it out!!

Also, ensure that you prepare to pick up your packet November 6th. This will include a full Expo experience, do not miss it. No packet pick-up the day of the race.

First Female Team!!! The Trotting Tatas...

2009-07-03T22:33:00.000-05:00

The Clarksville's Half Marathon has it's first Three person Team (Female Team)!! The Trotting TaTaS. I have known Lynne for a short amount of time, it seemed every time I met her or saw her at a function or event, she was in good, positive spirits. I soon learned of her story and was amazed at her resilence!! I noticed her at all the running/walking event around town and in Nashville lately and started talking to her more and more. Soon we talked about doing more races and about her exercising more and staying healthy. I was so proud of her!!! Then she told me of her friend, Kelly Blevins..She is a little younger than we are and going through the same challenges that Lynne had just had....BREAST CANCER!!! R3 had to have her and Kelly out there, getting healthy and staying healthy. So, I called Lynne and told her to pick two friends... she said, "what is this for", I told her she was running the Clarksville Half marathon in November.. and she said, "I know.." (she had beat me to the finish line already!!) I said well, we are starting today.. R3 sponsored her team, THE TROTTING TATAS and they start to work out on July 8th with one of our coaches. Kelly B. is still going through treatment, but we signed her up. I asked Lynne about the 3rd person for her team... she told me she was going to ask Kelly, the nurse that cared for her during her treatment... What a bond these ladies have gone through. They have faced obstacles that many never face in their life and some live to close too. Please root for Kelly B.. a Trotting Tata, in the coming weeks, as she sprints past Cancer!! Stay in touch with this blog for more info on their progress and more from the Clarksville Half Marathon. This week I wanted to feature the start of it all. Below is Lynne's Story...

“Hi I'm Lynne Woodson and I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Sept 17, 2008. I had a lumpectomy on the 23rd, and began chemo in October. My blog is named "ultrasoundsrock" because without my semi-annual ultrasound I wouldn't have been diagnosed early. I was given the "all clear" w/my mammo and was told I had cancer 3 weeks later. Please ask your doctor if you need an ultrasound as part of your annual screening. It might save your life...it did mine!” These are the words that headline my blog and tell my story in a nutshell, sort of. What they don’t tell is that I never really took my health serious before cancer. I always had visions of becoming that gym rat that looked and felt great because I put my health first. Of course, that never happened! I’m not suggesting that I wouldn’t have been diagnosed with cancer, but I believe my drive to exercise afterwards would have been quite different. You see, I have always started and stopped exercise routines and diets, but have never stuck with anyone of them. This pattern continued after I finished with my radiation treatments until one day… At the last minute, I ran a 5k with my husband, Woody. I was totally unprepared, but did ok. It wasn’t the first one that I had ever done, but it seems to have been the one that changed everything for me. Since then I have become a consistent runner! I have actually done another 5k, which our 16 year old niece also ran in and won first place in her age group! She thought it was cool that I ran it in 44:44 and that I am 44 years old! I suppose it was funny, but I was 3 minutes out from the third place finisher in my age group and it sparked something inside me! I want to win something!!!! So, I am now a “runner girl”. It’s true because it says so on the magnet on the back of my car!! I am excited about running, have bought running gear, and an ipod. My plans are to run and finish with a respectable time Clarksville’s first annual Half Marathon. I know that it is a big goal to obtain in such a short time, but I know with the support of my husband, family and friends it is attainable! I challenge all breast cancer patients and survivors to get training for the half marathon! If you are in treatment and can’t run, then find someone to run in your honor or to walk it with you. I have started the first 3 person team called “The Trotting Tatas”! Anyone who wants to register another team, we can go with “The Trotting Tatas 2, 3, 4, etc.” Join us today and let’s all get and stay healthy!! See you at the finish line.
Lynne

UPDATE from the Clarksville Half Marathon.

2009-05-31T19:50:00.005-05:00

Here are a few Updates from the Clarksville Half Marathon-May 31, 2009 * Katie Gambill, GM of 5 Star Radio, had her baby on Friday - she'll be back to work in 2 weeks!!! Congratulations!!! * Fort Campbell General Townsend endorses the Military Challenge and will be at the Race on November 7. Welcome Home Troops!! Can not wait to see you at the Race.. and we will be also thinking of those that are not yet home. * Welcome Premier Medical as our Presenting Sponsor for the race and sponsor of the Premier Medical Health & Fitness Expo. * Amy Rader, Morristown, TN and Erin Flaherty, Gainesville, VA.... WELCOME to Clarksville, Tennessee. You will love it here!! * The nationwide USRA Half-Marathon Series, of which Clarksville Half Marathon is a part of, will have its Inaugural event Sunday, June 7 at the Council Bluffs Half-Marathon. Over "1000" participants are expected in just their first year! * The USRA also announced an agreement has been struck with the Bentonville, Arkansas Convention & Visitors Bureau for the Bentonville Half-Marathon to be held in the spring of 2010. All USRA Half-Marathon Series events consist of a feature Half-Marathon, 5K and Fun Run. 6-10 USRA Half-Marathon Series events are projected for 2010.

WAY TO GO!!! Keep it moving, sign up now!!!

2009-05-25T20:43:00.003-05:00

Let's Go Clarksville, people are really starting to sign up now for the race and it is more exciting everyday that we accomplish something new for this event. The 5k and Fun run route will be posted soon on the website. Can not wait to see more participants names on the website. Come and enjoy the expo too!!! A Military category will be added as well.

Clarksville Half Marathon !!! 2009

2009-05-22T23:10:00.000-05:00

Here we are more than 168 out and already 8 people have signed up for this event. The community has really pulled together for the coordination of this event. We believe the event will be awesome for all those that are getting in shape, that are pushing the limits on their already established training, that are checking the life block or that just want to get out and enjoy the weekend. The two day event will include an awesome Expo with many vendors at the Riverview Inn, Host hotel. I am really looking forward to this. In addition to last years race, there will be music on the course and many other great things additions and all of this brought to Clarksville, TN.
Keep watching the website, www.clarksvillehalfmarathon.com and sign up on Twitter.com for any other cool ideas that need to be shared right away!! The beneficiaries are the Clarksville YMCA, to support many of its awesome programs and a facility that offers so much to the community and the Wings of Liberty museum that is being built on Fort Campbell, KY to continue the legacy of our fighting men and women.