S.C. State Guard hosts fifth-annual Hurricane Hike
September 7, 2016
Community encouraged to Participate in 2016 Hurricane Hike
The S.C. State Guard will host the fifth-annual Hurricane Hike in-and-around historic Camden, S.C., Sat., Sept. 10, 2016. The public is invited.
Step-off for HURRICANE HIKE 2016 will begin at 8:00 a.m. sharp, with a 6:30 registration and a field-pack weigh-in for State Guardsmen who will hike the 10K course carrying at least 45 lbs. The Hurricane Hike is part of a training and conditioning exercise to ensure members of the State Guard – especially those in search and rescue units – meet or exceed readiness requirements in the event of a natural or man-made disaster in which Guardsmen must be able to carry equipment into areas deemed impassable by vehicles.
Non-State Guard participants, however, will be able to hike shoulder-to-shoulder with the State Guard, and WITHOUT A PACK simply for the enjoyment of a 10K walk with family and friends.
Members of the S.C. National Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps., U.S. Army (including the Special Forces community), cadets from The Citadel, emergency responders and others are expected to participate with the S.C. State Guard as they have since the hike’s inception in 2012.
The public is urged to join their S.C. State Guardsmen in this family friendly event which will feature VIP attendees, an awards presentation, and a barbeque lunch in an air-conditioned venue.
“Key to the success of this event – as it has been every year – is public participation,” says Maj. Gen. Tom Mullikin, commander of the S.C State Guard. “Last year we had a record turnout. And with the pre-hike excitement we’ve seen this year through social media, early registration, and the great support we’ve received from so many, we expect even greater numbers for Hurricane Hike 2016.”
In addition to the State Guard, planning, organizing and facilitating the Hurricane Hike has been a multi-agency effort including representatives from the City of Camden, Camden Police Dept., Camden Fire Dept., Kershaw County (to include the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office), the American Legion, the Boy Scouts, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. among others.
Registration – managed by Strictly Running of Columbia – is $10 per person, and registered participants will receive a T-shirt and lunch. All proceeds will benefit the S.C. State Guard. To register, please visit http://strictlyrunning.com.
