Operation Enduring Warrior Run a big success

The Operation Enduring Warrior Run held in DuBois this past weekend surpassed its goal and raised awareness for veterans and their families.

On February 15 at 8 a.m., Jeff Belt of Reynoldsville, a Marine Corps veteran, started a twelve hour run on a treadmill at Snap Fitness in DuBois to raise money for Operating Enduring Warrior (OEW), an all-volunteer organization dedicated to helping our nation’s wounded military and law enforcement veterans.

“We raised twice my initial goal for OEW. The outpouring of love and support was just incredible,” he said. The total amount raised was $2100.

The idea was to guess how many miles Belt could run in the twelve hour time span. He ended up running 46.6 miles, a new personal best. But the run wasn’t without problems.

“ I had some pretty serious nutrition issues during the first half in the form of vomiting any and all solid foods I ate,” he said. “With some help from good friends and a Navy brother of mine, we got it under control and I continued.”

One of the biggest things that happened to him during the run was something someone told him, as he relates:

“One Lady touched me immensely during my run…She explained to me that she was the mother of a Marine (also an 0311 infantryman like myself) who paid the Ultimate Sacrifice for our great nation. She kept his ashes in a locket around her neck with a picture of him. I thanked her for raising a warrior and I assured her that he is and always will be my brother. This man will never be forgotten. The courage of this man and his mother brought me to tears right there on the treadmill as I ran. And that is why we do what we do.”

Belt says the he and the OEW are already discussing the possibility of other events in the future.

“This money will help to change the lives of our nation’s heroes, and I am honored to be a part of it,” he added.

To watch video of the run, click here.