More than 350 competitors hit the pavement running during a memorial run aboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Aug. 14.

The Fourth Annual Maj. Megan McClung Memorial Run, consisting of a five- and 10-kilometer run, is held each year in remembrance of McClung, who died Dec. 6, 2006 in Ramadi, Iraq.

She was the first female Marine Corps officer to be killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was also an avid marathon runner and six-time Ironman competitor.

“This morning we’re doing the fourth annual Maj. Megan McClung Memorial Run. It’s been held here since 2007 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and it’s to honor Maj. Megan McClung, who was an academy grad and Marine Corps public affairs officer and the first female officer killed in Iraq,” said Marine Corps 1st Lt. Joseph Diniega, run coordinator.

Proceeds and donations from the run will go to support the Semper Fi Fund for wounded Marines.

“I came this morning because I read about Maj. McClung and what she’s done and what had happened to her,” said Maria Stochl, a DoD civilian. “I needed to show my support because I come from a military family. For me, events like this are very important because it honors the men and women who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.”

Marine Corps Col. Tim Cutright, Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG) 53 commanding officer from Newton Falls, Idaho, was impressed with the command’s cohesion and participation in this event.

“We are very pleased with the turn out,” said Cutright. “The Marines here were compelled to help out, and they all volunteered to either support it or run in it.”

Coming in first place in the 10-kilometer run was John Rodeheffer at 37 minutes and 52 seconds. Andrew Wynn finished in first place in the five-kilometer run with a final time of 16 minutes and 44 seconds.

MATSG 53 hosted the event, and according to McClung’s parents and members of MATSG 53, they hope to gain even more support in upcoming years.

McClung’s father, Michael, spoke about the event.

“I’m very pleased with today’s turn out,” said McClung. “I like the fact that there are children here, repeat runners from last year. It’s also a family event, and it’s always nice to see the young people here. Next year we hope to make the run bigger. My daughter always said running is about mind, body and spirit. It clears your mind; it builds your body, and it strengthens you’re your spirit. And she’s looking down at us, and she’s saying go, go, go.”