THE WARRIOR TOURS: KEEPING CONNECTIONS OPEN

As overseas troops protect our freedom, razor wire and security posts keep out more than the enemy. Confined to a military base, our soldiers battle daily with limited freedom, isolation and distance from their homes and families. From triple-digit heat to the constant throbbing of the sounds of war – whether military exercises or true exchange of fire – physical and mental stress runs high.

Enter the Warrior Tours – an opportunity for the men and women who sacrifice so much for our peace of mind to enjoy a bit of their own. We take some of America’s best sporting events to the troops, giving them a chance to connect with home while they enjoy a change of pace from the tensions of active duty. It’s a source of physical and mental release that is as good for their bodies as for their spirits.
Troops Race
Overseas Events
A few days before a stateside major event, the Warrior Tours crew and special guests touch down at an overseas military installation, bringing the energy and fanfare of the event to the troops. With plenty of opportunity for celebrity “meet and greets,” lots of “swag”, and the rockin’ good time of a live appearance by bands like CatchPenny, the Armed Forces Entertainers of the Year, it’s a turbo-boost for morale. And, then there is the chance for some friendly competition and de-stressing as the soldiers compete in the base’s own version of the stateside sporting event. We also host interviews, film the race action and record “shoutouts” and dedications from each soldier who has a message for his family, friends, employers and community back home.

Stateside Connections
The Warrior Tour crew returns to the states and shares the photos, videos and audio clips with national and local media outlets and through social networking sites. More impoartant, we integrate the media into the stateside major event so that participants and fans alike are reminded to keep their eyes on the prize that’s even bigger than a race victory or personal best: freedom.

Troops Race

Putting It All Together
The Warrior Tours are all about connections: connecting the troops with home…connecting stateside communities with the faces and personal stories of those who keep them safe…connecting the friends and families of soldiers with a sense of peace and pride that their loved ones are not only okay, but also recognized and respected for their mission of honor…and finally, connecting sporting events that bridge the time and miles until our troops return safely home.


 

THE WARRIOR TOURS UPCOMING EVENTS

WarriorTours Road Trip #1
Steamboat—Aspen XGames—Vancouver Olympics, Jan/Feb 2010

 

Fallen Soldier Half Marathon
Camp Taji, Iraq, February 2010

 

Marin Marathon / Half Marathon First WaveRace
Afghanistan, March 2009, Undisclosed Base

 

Pittsburgh Marathon Warrior Tours "Strongest Mile"
Undisclosed Base and 25.2 Mile Mark to Finishline, May 2, 2010
(Military-Law Enforcement Battle)


 

Message from The Warrior Tours Co-Hosts: Rob Powers and Bart Yasso
We’ve been fortunate to enjoy connections with some of the world’s most prestigious events, including the Olympics. The excitement of working with and competing against some of the most talented and dedicated athletes in the world has been a true honor. Now, though, we share an even greater sense of honor in our roles as co-hosts for the Warrior Tours. We are very proud to help connect servicemen and women with the people whose freedom they ensure through the sport of running. We hope you’ll stay on track with us as we follow the course of those who go the distance for us every day, America’s soldiers!



Rob Powers, America's Voice of Running since 1988,  is a former U.S. National Team Athlete and Olympic Teams Coach, Former US Armed Forces Sports Program Athlete, who served our country during the 1980's as a member of the 2-172 Mountain Infantry Brigade. Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer of Runner's World Magazine, also dubbed the "Mayor of Running," is among the few to complete races on all seven continents. He developed the Yasso 800s marathon training schedule and authored
My Life on the Run.



PAST WARRIOR TOURS SPECIAL GUESTS

FRANK SHORTER
Born on an Army base in Germany (his father was an Army Doctor stationed in BRD), and 24-time national champion, Shorter captured the Olympic Gold Medal in 1972 in the city of his birth (Munich). It was this performance that inspired the distance running boom in the U.S. He went on to claim the Silver Medal in the 1976 Olympics and was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1984. Frank is one of the single most highly regarded runners of all time... an authority on the movement to create WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) and someone who our Warrior Runners both young and old will enjoy meeting, running with... and spending time around at each base we visit. Frank Shorter Bio

SANDRA MAGNUS
NASA Astronaut Sandra Magnus knows more than a little something about the need for fitness and endurance over long distances. Among her impressive work for NASA, she has traveled more than 4.5 million miles and spent three months in space as flight engineer and science officer for space station operation and repair missions. We’re looking forward to this “first” of an astronaut promoting fitness in a combat area of operation. Sandra Magnus NASA Bio

ANNE BONNEY
Let's face it...she's got a cool job as the Senior Manager of Run at Under Armour. She's also one industry leader who is fully engaged in the sports that she represents for her company. From her 18 marathon finishes...and counting... (including one in Antarctica), countless adventure races and ultra marathons, to her Iron Distance Triathlon finishes... Anne's simply put got GAME!!!   Anne, will be joining the Warrior Tours Staff as our "Industry Expert" providing Soldiers with the latest information surrounding: shoe and clothing design and technology.   She also comes to our team as the very proud daughter of a retired US Army father who served during Vietnam!  
www.underarmour.com

MAJOR DAN BROWNE
Browne earned All-American Honors and graduated from West Point in 1997. He received his lieutenant’s commission and signed onto the Army's World Class Athlete Program. Dan will be joining us on later Warriors Tour events, as he has recently been named to the 2009 World Championships Marathon Team. Because of his strong support for our mission, we are pleased to recognize Dan as an honorary staff member until he is able to actively join us for the overseas events. Major Dan Browne Bio

CATCHPENNY
Catchpenny will spend a majority of their time this year performing for the troops overseas. The Department of Defense Program Directors were so impressed with Catchpenny that they signed them to a one-year contract to perform over 150 shows for the men and women of the armed forces. Something they've never done before.. CATCHPENNY Bio

TIMING AND DATA SERVICES
Rick Stern - CEO, Split Second Timing


Josh Stern - VP, Split Second Timing - Utilizing ChronoTrack DTag Systems www.splitsecondtiming.com