Rimas Gedeika

Lithuanian Runners Show Their Pride and Talent

Rimas Gedeika, a marathon runner, is a regular contributor to BRIDGES and an avid Lithuanian sports enthusiast, especially track and field.

Algis Balciunas and Inga Juodeskiene hold the Lithuanian flag as Bronius Basalykas looks on at the Military Cross Country Championship ceremonies at the Mayport Naval Base in Florida.  Photo by Rimas Gedeika

Inga Juodeskiene finished fourth in the 5k race, at the World Military Cross Country Championships at Mayport Naval Station, Jacksonville, Florida, on February 24, 1999. Her time was 17 min 45 sec., just two seconds from the bronze medal. The winner was Morocco’s Elkamch Zhor, the current record holder in this distance.

The Counseil International Du Sport (CISM), the international military organization whose motto is "Friendship through Sports", has been sponsoring this event for 47 years. This year the Championships drew over 300 military athletes from 24 countries. One of the countries was Lithuania.

Lithuania's team was made up of four soldiers from two different battalions. The team's captain, Lieutenant Raimondas Juodeska and private Inga Juodeskiene from the Jegerio Batalionas (The Hunter’s Battalion), and Sgt. Algis Balciunas and private Bronius Basalykas from the Geležinio Vilko Batalionas (The Iron Wolf Battalion).

Commodore Greg Hoffman -- Lithuania's Host

Every country had a host whose primary responsibility was to insure the well being of that country's athletes -- that is, to make them feel right at home. Lithuania, Belgium, France, Canada, Italy, and Spain had Commodore Greg Hoffman, the commanding officer of the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Wing, Atlantic Fleet, as its host. In addition, each country had a team leader, "a mother hen", whose task was to insure that that team got to the right place at the right time. Lithuania's team's leader was Command Master Chief Jerry Williams, the command's highest ranking NCO.

(left to right) Commodore Hoffman,Inga Juodeskiene, Lt. Raimondas Juodeska, and Command Master Chief Jerry Williams.

Even though Commodore Hoffman was hosting five other countries, it became very obvious, almost right from the first day, that the four Lithuanian soldiers were special to him. On Opening Day, prior to the start of the Ceremonies, each country's team captain and host were driven by separate cars to the field. For this ceremonial entrance, Commodore Hoffman chose to ride with Lt. Raimondas Juodeska. He also chose to accompany him to all other events that took place that day. Officers under his command escorted the other countries.

The Opening Day Ceremonies were very impressive. All the soldiers dressed in their nation's Class A military uniforms marched into the field. For me it was an awe-inspiring sight to see the Lithuanian soldiers marching in, proudly carrying their flag, being on equal ground with the other countries. And when they marched past the reviewing stand and Lt. Juodeska, Commodore Hoffman, and the other dignitaries saluted the Lithuanian flag, my chest swelled with pride.

Once all the athletes had marched on the field, Col. Gola, from Italy, opened the games. The ceremony was similar in grandeur to the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games -- with the invocation, the athlete’s oath, the marching music, the parachutist bringing the CISM flag, and the jet fighters flying overhead. It was a memorable event.

On the day of the race, Commodore Hoffman took time off from his busy work schedule to come and cheer the Lithuanian team. After the races, he and his staff invited all of us for few, cold ones to toast Inga and her success on the field of battle.

On the last day, Commodore Hoffman really surprised us. He invited us to attend a helicopter flight simulator. Each one of us had the opportunity to "fly", to land, to hover, and occasionally to "crash" the helicopter into the ocean. We were the only ones to be granted to partake in this very special experience.

We were greatly honored to have received such VIP treatment from Commodore Hoffman. All of us extend our thanks to him and his staff for making us feel special.

The Main Event -- The Races

All three cross-country races took place on Thursday, February 24. It was a super perfect day for the runners – the temperature was in the low 50’s, with very little humidity.

Inga leads the pack during the 5 K race during the Championships.

The first race was the men’s 12 Km. Although none of the Lithuanian runners were entered in this event; nevertheless, there was a Lithuanian-American, Air Force Major Andrius Klemas, a member of the American team, running this race.

Andrius is not a stranger to Lithuanian's running community. He has participated in several "Sporto Šventes" in Lithuania and winning its initial marathon. In addition to his running accomplishments, he was very instrumental in obtaining scholarships for Lithuanian runners to attend American Universities.

A soldier from Morocco won the race. The Moroccans also won the other four places.

The women’s 5k race started at 10:00 AM. There were 47 runners representing 13 countries running this event. Inga Juodeskiene was one of those runners.

The course consisted of two loops around the last nine holes of a golf course. It had several small but steep hills and one major obstacle -- namely a steep ditch whose bottom was filled with muddy water. Each runner had to run it, twice. It was here where most of the runners began to separate.

Inga got off to a good start. During the first loop she was among the top five runners. She was running effortlessly, confidently, and looking very strong. Approaching the "mud obstacle" for the second time, she was running neck and neck with the German runner. They were both in third place. As they came up on the other side of the muddy ditch, both were still neck and neck. Then, about 100 yards past the obstacle, the German girl started to pull away

With about 800 yards to the finish line, it was quite apparent that Inga would not catch the German girl, nor would any other runner catch her. At this point Inga could have slowed down, being assured of a fourth place finish. But to quit, to slow down, was not in her character. Her fierce competitive nature, her physical and mental toughness did not allow her to take the easy route. Inga continued to run as hard as she could -- to push and push and push all the way to the finish line. Her valiant, never say die effort, clearly showed the true character of the Lithuanian runner/soldier.

After crossing the finish line, barely able to stand, her chest heaving, gasping for breath, Inga managed to say, "I ran as hard as I could…I so much wanted a medal…I couldn’t run any harder…I couldn't catch the German girl!"

A few minutes later, after regaining her composure, Inga said, "I wish that the course had a few more hills. I felt very strong running them. I know that my mountain training would have helped me even more. Maybe a medal. I ran as hard as I could."

Last year Inga took 8th place; this year, 4th. A truly laudable achievement. Next year -- a medal!

The men's 5k race started right after the women's race. In this race Lithuania had three entries. Although all three runners ran gallantly, their results were not among the top 50%. Raimondas Juodeska started off very well, but around the first kilometer he severely pulled his left quad and had to drop out. Basalykas, who two months prior to this race had an ankle operation, ran on sheer guts. "I came here not only to run, but to finish." Algis Balciunas ran a good race finishing in the middle of the pack.

The Closing Ceremonies took place that afternoon. This time the athletes lined up in their athletic attire. The mood was more relaxed, more jovial. Again the ceremonies were very similar to those of the Olympic Games. The individual as well as the team winners received their medals. The flags of the first three finishers were raised and the national anthem of the gold medal winner echoed throughout the field.

Colorado -- Training in the Mountains

Receiving financial support from several Lithuanian-American track and field fans, Inga was able to train in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. For two months prior to the race, she trained under Coach Vigil, one of America’s foremost high altitude long distance coaches. Every day she tested running skills against America’s best cross-country runners: among them Deena Drossin, the current American women’s cross-country champion.

Under Coach Vigil’s watchful eye, Inga strengthened herself both physically and mentally. And the results speak for themselves

Inga worked hard, trained hard. She showed everyone that Lithuanian runners are eager to learn, to improve their skills, and not be afraid to push themselves to their limits. This dedication, this positive attitude impressed Coach Vigil greatly. As a result, he agreed in principle to train Lithuania’s long distance runners. He is willing to work with the Lithuanian coaches to set up a high altitude program, which would compliment their sea level plans.

Coach Vigil is willing to help the Lithuanian runners prepare not only for the year 2000 Olympics, but also for future world competition. Here is a perfect opportunity for Lithuania to help its runners.

The Games End but the Memories Linger

Standing in front of a Navy war ship at the Mayport Naval Station are, from left, Bronius Basalykas, Algis Balciunas, and Raimondas Juodeska.

Saturday arrived and all the athletes started to get ready to go back home. Inga left at the crack of dawn. Raimondas, Algis, and Bronius, together with athletes from six other nations, boarded the German Military Air Bus for a flight back to Germany and then for a long car ride back home.

I left for home the following day. As my plane headed eastward, my thoughts started to drift back to the events of the past few days. Images flew in my mind’s eye. Once again I saw Inga, Bronius, and Algis proudly marching into the stadium with their flag waving proudly in the wind; again I saw Lt. Raimondas standing with Commodore Hoffman proudly saluting the Lithuanian flag as the three soldiers marched by the reviewing stand. Oh how proud I felt then and now -- 30,000 feet above ground!

Again I saw Inga running as hard as she could, giving everything she had, making all of us proud to be Lithuanian. I also saw Raimondas, Algis, and Bronius, and how well they represented Lithuania and their battalions. Finally I remembered Commodore Hoffman and the special VIP treatment that he gave us. All us felt greatly honored.

Next year the Games will be in Morocco. Next year Inga will hold the medal she so greatly worked hard for!