Runners Come Out for Annual Base 2 Base Run

By MC2 Josh Coté/ NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Race participants run on NAS II.

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Josh Coté

Runners await the starting gun before the race.

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Josh Coté

SIGONELLA, Sicily – Military members and civilians of all ages participated in the annual Base-to-Base run held at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella March 23.

The run is the largest road race put on by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) each year. There were two options for runners—a half marathon (13.1 miles) and the regular Base-to-Base run, which was 7.6 miles. Out of 230 total runners, 192 chose the Base-to-Base course, which started in front of the NAS II fitness center and finished at NAS II Midtown. The other 38 runners chose the half marathon, which started out with a loop around the NAS II flight line before continuing toward NAS I.

“The run is a good way to promote fitness in the Sigonella community with a unique challenge,” said MWR fitness specialist Cassy Milbourne. “There aren’t many areas you can run in Sicily and this event allows and encourages people to run a route we drive almost daily. The distance is far but the task is accepted by many, and it is a huge accomplishment once completed.”

Putting on this event was no small feat for MWR—a lot of hard work and preparation went into it.

“This event is extremely complex and encompasses many elements,” said Milbourne. “It was a huge success this year, and we have to thank all 50+ volunteers, NAS Sigonella security, safety, and our Italian security liaisons as well as all of the MWR departments involved.”