Recently, U.S. Special Operations Command's Vice Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan and members U.S. SOCOM's Washington Office staff, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Amanda Wilson and U.S. Navy Cdr. Ryan Hall, participated in the “Badwater Cape Fear", a 51-mile long ultramarathon, in North Carolina on March 23, 2024. The “Badwater Cape Fear" is the first of three Badwater races culminating in the “Badwater 135", a 135-mile race, that takes place in Death Valley California each July.
In Bald Head, NC, the three officers ran 51.2 miles each, on soft sand. “Conditions went from cool, to hot, then windy with some aggressive sideways rain. We received the full ultra experience," Wilson said.
Wilson, a private capital advisor supporting Special Operations Acquisition, Technology and Logistics efforts to accelerate capability development by leveraging the private investment community's access and experience maturing disruptive technologies. She is also a veteran of the ultra-race series, has completed all three races to include the Death Valley race.
Hall is the U.S. SOCOM undersea liaison for the Washington DC office.
New to the ultra-marathons – races that are longer than the traditional 26.2-mile marathon – Hall noted that the ultra-marathon community is encouraging.
“You feel like everyone was competing against themselves while encouraging each other," Hall said. “Amanda really encouraged me to do it. It was a combination of the desire to continue to push new horizons in your life and encouragement from teammates. It was special to be a part of it."
Despite the grueling distance, Hall said the race was a positive life experience.
“In short, it was amazing," Hall said. “I ran almost all of it without music, just living in the moment and taking in the scenery and the experience."
To train up for the 51-miles, the three officers also ran in the Marine Corps 50-Kilometer (31 miles) race this past October in Washington, DC, where they are stationed.
“The Marine Corps 50K was a fun and fast event," Wilson said. “Otherwise, the train up for the Badwater Cape Fear was all about time on feet – a lot of slow running."
Participating in the ultrarace series provides a way for the U.S. SOCOM Washington Office to further coalesce as a team.
“Since running these two ultra marathons with Lt. Gen. Donovan, the camaraderie within the Washington Office has absolutely grown," Wilson said. “Long distance running is much more mental than physical, and that mental fortitude has really synergized our commitment to each other."
Hall also echoed the effects of running for the office's synchronization, “Our camaraderie has grown with the entire team at the Washington Office," Hall said. “While you would think an evolution like this is an individual sport, the incredible support from the entire office made it a team effort. The encouragement, support and accountability partnership preparing for and during the race was critical."