Dartmouth-Hitchcock

Running to honor fallen American and Canadian service members, Navy Corpsman Shawn Buxton completed a 5K run as part of the CHaD Half Marathon and Relay 5K while stationed in Afghanistan on Aug. 19. Despite 105-degree heat, Buxton finished in less than 29 minutes. (Photo courtesy Shawn Buxton)

The Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) is proud to announce that Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Shawn Buxton completed the CHaD Hero Half Marathon and Relay 5K in Kandahar, Afghanistan on Aug. 19, 2010. In 105-degree heat, Buxton finished a five-kilometer route called the Mine Field Pass in 28 minutes, 42.8 seconds. Stationed with the Navy, Buxton ran to honor fallen American and Canadian service members.

"I decided to run the CHaD Hero Half Marathon and Relay 5K to raise money for a great cause in my home state," stated Buxton. "My heroes are the service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Afghanistan."

Buxton will participate in at least nine races from Afghanistan until his tour ends in November/December 2010. He signed up for the United States Air Force 10K, the Baltimore Half Marathon and several New Hampshire races. When asked why he keeps running, Buxton explained that it "keeps me motivated, physically strong and mentally awake."

"We were thrilled that Shawn chose this unique way to support the CHaD Hero Half Marathon and Relay," explained Sharon Brown, CHaD Community Relations Director. "He is a true competitor and hero to all CHaD patients."

Buxton resides in Pembroke, New Hampshire with his wife and two sons. He works for Rockingham Ambulance in Manchester and Nashua. In his role, Buxton regularly transports patients to Dartmouth-Hitchcock.

About the CHaD Hero Half Marathon and Relay

The Fifth Annual CHaD Hero Half Marathon & Relay will take place on August 29, 2010 on the Dartmouth College Green in Hanover, N.H. The event will honor the "hero" in CHaD patients, families and medical staff. In addition, the event will try to recapture a Guinness World Record for the most number of people dressed as superheroes, in one place at one time. All participants and spectators are encouraged to dress in costumes.

All proceeds will benefit CHaD. Last year's event attracted more than 1,300 runners and raised more than $225,000. Since its inception in 2006, CHaD Hero Half Marathon & Relay total donations have surpassed $700,000. For more information, visit chadhalf.org.

About CHaD

As New Hampshire's only children's hospital, The Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock is committed to providing outstanding compassionate care for children and families. Their physician expertise provides primary, specialty, and tertiary care to the children of New Hampshire, Vermont, and beyond, as northern New England's children's hospital. For patients living in southern and coastal New Hampshire, CHaD offers a comprehensive range of pediatric medical and surgical outpatient specialty services at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester and Nashua, and at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover, N.H.

Media contact: Kristin Hagerman

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