Runners and walkers take off from the starting line for the annual Toys for Tots 5K Run/ Walk held 8 a.m. Nov. 6 on Barton Field. New, unwrapped toys were collected and more than 4,450 was raised for the Marines Toys for Tots program. Photos by Sgt. 1st Sgt. Dexter Marquez The Augusta Marines and the Toys for Tots campaign raised $4,450 during its annual Toys for Tots 5K Run/Walk held 8 a.m. Nov. 6 on Barton Field. According to Marine Staff Sgt. Heath Martin of Fort Gordon about 213 runners registered for the event.

John Danjou was the first male runner in with a time of 16:14. Phillip Payne, age 46, came in second with a time of 17:55. Matthew Rippy was the third male in with a time of 19:23.

Formation runners [minimum of 10 participants] had to complete the run together to qualify. According to Gunnery Sgt. Sherry Barrera, the event coordinator, there were 10 formations in the 5K Run/ Walk. Soldiers from Fort Gordon’s Regimental Noncommissioned Officer Academy first team led by Command Sgt. Maj. Vernon Praymous, the academy’s commandant, finished first with a time of 21:48.

John Danjou was the first runner in and the first place male runner with a time of 16:14 during the Fort Gordon annual Marines’ Toys for Tots 5K Run/Walk held Nov. 6. Capt. Victoria Ferreira, from Headquarters and Company A, 73rd Ordnance Battalion, was the first female in with a time under 22 minutes. Team two of the RNCOA runners led by Sgt. Maj. Steven Caffee, the RNCOA deputy commander, came in second as formation runners with a time of 24:45.

Marines assigned to Fort Gordon’s Company D, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, running in uniform and combat boots, crossed the finish line with a time of 25:06. The U.S. Marine Corps Detachment at Fort Gordon finished the event in 24:06.

Matt Yonn, a member of the Young Marines of Augusta, finished with a time of 26:45. He beat out fellow Young Marines: Mary Besel, age 11, Cecilia Besel, age 8, Pvt. Alex Besel and Pfc. Bob Besel. Kim Besel, mother of the Besel children running in the event and supervisor at the Fort Gordon Signal Movie Theater, ran the event in 49 minutes.

The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, age 8 through completion of high school. The organization promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members and focuses on character building, leadership and promotes a drug-free lifestyle.

Capt. Victoria Ferreira, from Headquarters and Company A, 73rd Ordnance Battalion, was the first female in with a time under 22 minutes. Amy Roushon won second place with a time of 25:25 in the female category. Traci Todd, runner #106, placed third in the female category with a time of 25:26.

Members of 297th Military Intelligence Battalion finished the 5K Run/Walk in 29:07.

Sailors assigned to Navy Information Operations Command Georgia finished in 32:05. U.S. Army Dental Lab finished in 26:51. “We ran it to build Esprit de Corps among our unit and support a good cause,” said Staff Sgt. Glenn Cumliffe.

Strollers were welcome in the 5K Run/Walk. Amy Dales and her children, Samantha, age 3 ½ and William, age 1 ½, completed the event in about 50 minutes.

Participants in the event also included some employees in local businesses. Employees of the local Red Robin Restaurant crossed the finish line at 52:25. Making up the team were Jessica Trinidad, Judy Garner, Brittney Berry, Rachel Holley, Jessica Bellavance, Andrew Moloney and Katie Dyches.

After the run/walk prizes were given out. Everyone who participated received a gift certificate. More than $1,000 in gift certificates was donated by local restaurants and businesses for the fundraiser.

The first place winners in the male and female category received a trophy and $50 certificate. The second place winners received a $40 gift certificate and the third place participants received a $30 gift certificate.

Charles Whiteman, #102, a sailor assigned to NAVIOCOM, won the “Gung Ho” award. RNCOA, team #109, won the “Best Cadence,” award.

Also on hand to help out with the event were Lillian Huber, the Chick-fil-A marketing director of Augusta, accompanied by the Chick-fil-A cow, Tony Riley and Joe Cote of the Riverfront Marines League #1132 of North Augusta, S.C., and Joe Anderson, C4 Planning Solutions One Sponsor’s operation director. “We like to give back to the community we live and work in,” said Huber.

The Marines set out toy donation boxes to collect new, unwrapped toys to distribute to local families in need this Christmas. All proceeds benefit the Augusta Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign.