2016 MGC Long Run celebrates USO’s 75th Anniversary
January 23, 2016
MGC Long Run Races to Take Place on Feb. 6
The MGC Long Run returns to #famouslyhot Columbia, SC on Saturday, February 6. The MGC Long Run joins forces with the USO South Carolina for a second year, helping celebrate the USO’s 75th anniversary. Net proceeds from the MGC Long Run will benefit the USO South Carolina, an organization whose mission is to strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.
The MGC Long Run has a race for everyone – 15k Road Race, 15k Relay, 5k Run/Walk and a half-mile Kids’ Fun Run. The races will begin and end at the First Citizens Plaza, located at the corner of Lady St. and Main St. Runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators are encouraged to join the family-friendly race party taking place in the First Citizens Plaza.
The MGC Long Run is presented by McAngus Goudelock & Courie (MGC), a regional insurance defense firm headquartered in Columbia. MGC launched the inaugural Long Run in 2014 as a way to give back to the Midlands community where the firm was founded. Last year’s race raised $25,000 for the USO South Carolina and had over 800 runners and walkers.
“We are honored to be able to support our troops and their families through the USO South Carolina and the MGC Long Run,” said Jay Courie, Managing Member. “On February 6, we’ll gather with more than 1,000 runners, walkers and volunteers to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the USO and make a difference in our community. Our troops put their lives on the line every single day to protect us and we are proud to support these men and women.”
Since the USO’s incorporation in New York State on February 4, 1941, it has grown to what it is today – America’s vital bridge, connecting service members back to the nation and people they have signed up to serve. The USO South Carolina serves over 100,000 service members and military family members annually through a center at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, McCrady Training Center and various programs throughout the state.
“Thanks to MGC’s partnership and generosity, service members throughout South Carolina are able to stay connected to the people they have signed up to serve!” said Joanie Thresher, Director of USO South Carolina. “We’re thrilled to once again have the support of MGC!”
The MGC Long Run is Columbia’s only 15k race, and the route features three cities and two bridges. Runners will experience a race that goes through downtown Columbia, West Columbia and Cayce, crossing both the Gervais St. and Blossom St. bridges. New this year is a 15k relay.
The 2016 MGC Long Run will be a not-to-miss event, featuring a 15k, 15k relay, 5k and Kids’ Fun Run, all beginning and ending in downtown Columbia. The 5k race is presented by Midlands Orthopaedics, P.A. There will also be a family-friendly party in the First Citizens Plaza, sponsored by BB&T Insurance, Converged, Janney Montgomery Scott, NBSC and Spirit Communications, celebrating runners, walkers, volunteers and the troops that fight to protect our freedom. Registration is open at www.strictlyrunning.com. For more information about the MGC Long Run, including volunteer information, please visit www.mgclongrun.com.
About the MGC Long Run
The MGC Long Run will take place in downtown Columbia on Saturday, February 6, 2016. The race is presented by McAngus Goudelock & Courie, a regional insurance defense firm headquartered in Columbia, and net proceeds will benefit the USO South Carolina. For more information, please visit www.mgclongrun.com.
About the USO South Carolina
USO South Carolina provides a home away from home and a sense of community for over 100,000 service members annually by offering a safe, comfortable, and relaxing lounge as they travel through the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. In addition to the center inside the Columbia Airport, the USO South Carolina serves the military population training at McCrady Training Center with a dayroom and USO in a Box. USO South Carolina also offers morale-boosting and family-strengthening programs, deployment and redeployment support to help servicemen and women adjust to the duty ahead, resiliency training for families facing multiple deployments, discreet and compassionate escorts and other support for Families of the Fallen. For more information on how you can join our patriotic mission, please visit www.uso.org/southcarolina.
