HONOLULU, OAHU, Hawaii -- The sound of military cadence along with the beating of runners' feet against the pavement was the only sound that could be heard above the shouts and cheers of excited spectators during the 20th Annual Great Aloha Run, Monday morning.
More than 22,000 athletes ran and walked the 8.15-mile course from Aloha Tower on Nimitz Highway to Aloha Stadium, in support of health and fitness, and financial assistance to charities throughout the Hawaiian islands.
Marines and Sailors from both MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay and Camp H.M. Smith H.M., participated in the military division called the "Sounds of Freedom" - formations comprised of service members who call cadence while running. In total, 5,470 military members participated in the division, which is 1,500 more than last year.
Corporal Joey Billot, squad leader, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, ran the eight-mile run and was very pleased afterwards.
"I was afraid this run would be like most PT [Physical Training] runs: dull and monotonous," he said, "but when I saw all the people cheering for us, I got really excited."
The first place winner in the male division was Kalid Abdalah, of Berkeley, Calif. It was the second victory in a row for the 24 year old, who finished with a time of 40:54.
First in the female division was Chelsea Smith, 19, who finished with a time of 47:49.
Next President's Day, the military will participate again, proudly chanting their cadences, and giving everything they have to motivate others around them.
"Just hearing the cadence gave me all the strength I needed to make it to the end of this race," said Kentucky native Angus McGregor, a retired veterinarian. "My father was in the military, and even though he's passed on, it felt as though he was right there. I didn't even feel tired anymore when I heard it."