To celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2016, the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS)—the security and law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State—asked different diplomatic posts across the globe to conduct their own DSS Global Race for Charity. At each location, participants gathered to celebrate the DSS heritage, promote unity among diplomatic community employees, encourage physical fitness, and raise money for local charities.
“The Global Race for Charity is an opportunity for our people worldwide to personally participate in the centennial,” DSS Director Bill A. Miller told Runner’s World. “Shoes & Gear.”
It is no small task to plan a celebration that involves and engages 40,000 international employees, including special agents, security engineers, diplomatic couriers, embassy guards, and all other DSS employees of varying careers. Plus, the embassies span 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries.
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However, for Special Agent Kerry Osterhout, the answer was clear—the common denominator was running. Exercise and running is a large and important part of DSS culture, and seeing an agent decked out in their running gear is commonplace.
She proposed her idea to the DSS and they “unanimously decided to run with it—literally,” Osterhout told Runner’s World by phone.
“As an agent, the first thing I pack is my running shoes,” Osterhout said. “Being a security professional, we have to get familiar with the area where we are serving, and often the best way to get familiar with an area is to go out and take a run.”
The Global Races for Charity started prior to April 2016—the month of the anniversary—Give A Gift, there have been more than 100 races, and around 125 total are expected before April 2017. Each race took place at a different U.S. embassy location, and the race activities varied from race to race. Guide to Mental Health.
Baghdad, Iraq
span 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries: 600
Race distance: 5K and 10K
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Participants, including U.S. mission staff and more than a dozen friendly nations from the military and diplomatic corps, could choose between either a 5K or 10K race. The races appropriately took place on the 100th day of the year.
Almaty, Kazakhstan
span 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries: 6
Race distance: N/A
Members of both the Regional Security Office and Marine Staff hiked up Mt. Shymbulak, which sits at an elevation of 7,200 feet above sea level and is located within the Zailiysky Alatau mountain range.
Los Angeles, California
span 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries: 35 Number of participants
Race distance: 120 miles
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The LAFO team consisting of 20 runners, three alternates, and a support staff celebrated the centennial with their annual Baker to Vegas two-day relay race challenge. The runners ran four to seven miles in their stage to cover a total of 120 miles by day and night.
Gaborone, Botswana
span 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries: 370
Race distance: 3K and 5K
Charity: The Global Races for Charity started prior to April 2016
The race route followed a scenic path from the Police College Stadium to the International Law Enforcement Academy campus. Along the way, runners were able to safely dodge warthogs and kudus (African antelopes) that graze freely throughout the campus.
N’Djamena, Chad
span 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries: DAA Industry Opt Out
Race distance: 5K
Runners encountered six different obstacles during the race, including two minutes of CPR practice, radio checks with the Embassy Marine Post, and dragging 100 pounds 25 feet. All participants also wore a nametag of a fallen U.S. police officer killed in the line of duty in 2015 to remember and honor them.
New Delhi, India
span 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries: 560
Race distance: 5K
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Team New Delhi walked or ran the 5K in matching “sea of yellow” race T-shirts.
Rome, Italy
span 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries: 400
Race distance: 5The Global Races for Charity started prior to April 2016
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Team U.S. Embassy Rome participated in a two part race—they started with a 6K warmup that took them past some of the Eternal City’s must see-sites: the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican. For the second half of their race, they teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Foundation—one of the charities they donated to—for a 5K.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
span 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries: 70+
Race distance: 5K
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To beat the intense Malaysian heat, runners started their race predawn—it was already 80 degrees when the race kicked off.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
span 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries: 12
Race distance: 10K, 5K, and 10K
The runners had to work as a team as they encountered a variety of obstacles that required them to run, crawl, jump, and climb throughout the 10K course designed to push them to their limits.
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
span 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries: 600
Race distance: 4K, 5K, and 10K
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In addition to embassy staff, community members, and 50 volunteers from local high schools, the team also partnered with 100 military members, police, and medical first responders for extra protection because of the area’s high crime rate and drug cartel violence.
