OSHKOSH, WIS. – Oshkosh Truck Corporation will sponsor a co-ed team of four U.S. Marines competing in the Subaru Primal Quest Expedition Adventure Race™. The race is scheduled to begin September 19 in Anacortes, Wash.
“When we first heard about this team and event, we knew we had to get involved. Not only does this race embody the indomitable spirit and extreme physical conditioning of the U.S. Marine Corps, it also fits perfectly with everything we bring to the vehicles we build. The competitors in this race tackle the toughest conditions and some of the ugliest terrain on the planet, and they do it with an unyielding commitment to conquering every challenge. The similarities between what this event and our approach to building vehicles were too striking not to support these Marines in their cross-country odyssey,” said John Stoddart, Oshkosh’s executive vice president and president of defense.
Team RecruitMilitary
Team RecruitMilitary is led by team captain and navigator Bill Holmes. Holmes is an experienced adventure racer, having competed in this type of event since 2000. He has the San Diego Marathon, several triathlons, and the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge to his credit. Holmes is a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130 pilot “flying a desk” at Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Quantico, Virginia.
Kevin Saunders is new to adventure racing. He is an avid runner, biker, and weight lifter and has completed several marathons. Saunders is a Marine captain and Judge Advocate General. He was previously the Chief Trial Counsel at Marine Corps Air Station New River, NC, and Legal Counsel to the Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Quantico, VA
Charlotte Carpenter has competed in several marathons and began her adventure racing career in 2002. She is a veteran mountaineer, having rock and alpine climbed in South America, the Pacific Northwest and the Sierra Nevadas. Carpenter is also a U.S. Marine.
After 20 years of racing competitive triathlons, Jon Wingler began adventure racing in 1998 at the urging of friends. He is a U.S. Marine based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
According to Stoddart, “This is an incredible team, representing the finest the Marine Corps has to offer. We are all honored to support their efforts, and thrilled to be part of this type of competition.”
Subaru Primal Quest Expedition Adventure Race™
The competition is an expedition length adventure race covering 400 miles and lasting from 5 to 10 days. The co-ed teams of four will race non-stop, competing in mountain biking, ocean kayaking, river kayaking, inline skating or scootering, orienteering, mountaineering, ropes, ride and tie, and trekking. All four members of the team must perform all disciplines and the team members are not allowed to be more than 100 yards apart for the majority of the race.
Teams will rally in Anacortes, Washington to begin the race on September 19.
For more information on the race and to track Team RecruitMilitary during the event, visit www.subaruprimalquest.com.
Oshkosh Truck Corporation
Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK] is a leading manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the defense, fire and emergency, concrete placement and refuse hauling markets. Oshkosh Truck is a Fortune 1000 company with products marketed under the Oshkosh®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Geesink, Norba and Jerr-Dan® brand names. The company is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wis., and had annual sales of $1.9 billion in fiscal 2003.
To learn more about Oshkosh Truck Corporation, visit its web site at www.oshkoshtruckcorporation.com
