The Blackhorse Cavalry Marathon is a historic event established in 1977 by Col. Robert J. Sunell (48th RCO) and named the “Cavalry Marathon” (CM) in Fulda, Germany. Running was a very popular sport in the 1970s, and MG Sunell, a powerful runner, intended to unite the local community and the Blackhorse Troopers by creating the event, which started as a half-marathon and later evolved into a full 26.2-mile marathon. The Regiment conducts (and the Blackhorse Association sponsors) the Cavalry Marathon, keeping MG Sunell’s spirit and legacy alive. The marathon has grown to include several family-friendly events.
Additionally, Blackhorse Association Board Member for Marathons Dan Newcome added the Norwegian Foot March (NFM) for the first time in 2025; it proved to be hugely popular. Dan demonstrated the Cavalry spirit and, at 58, he competed in the NFM, earning his medal.
The race in Fulda originated under MG Sunell then COL Sunell the 48th RCO of The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in 1977. The race was created to bring the members of the 11th ACR and the local community together. The original race was called the Cavalry Marathon. The original race required a certain amount of troopers to participate and finish. The race originally was a half marathon, participants who wanted to complete the full marathon had to run the course twice. Then COL Sunell and his driver Bobby Bell drove around and set the course. Then COL Sunell wanted to limit the elevation of the route. He tasked How Battery to survey and certify the course.
The Cavalry Marathon became one of the largest marathons in West Germany during the 80’s. Fellow members of NATO and visitors from the different countries of Western Europe would travel to run in the marathon.
When the regiment moved to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA the tradition of the marathon continued. In 2005 the marathon was not ran due to the regiments deployment to Iraq. The race was ran in 2021,2022 and 2023.
In 2024 The Blackhorse Association has become a sponsor of the marathon. The vision of The BHA is to have the marathon grow into a qualifier for The Boston Marathon and attract high caliber runners.
The mission of The Blackhorse Association is to full fill a promise MG Patton then COL Patton who promised a mortally wounded trooper during the Vietnam War to take of the children of the regiment and to support our troopers. The BHA keeps that promise today by giving out scholarships to the children of present and past troopers.
For information on upcoming marathons, contact Dan Newcome at dannewcome@verizon.net.
Past Marathons
2025 Blackhorse Marathon
Report by Bobby Bell
The following events were conducted on December 6, 2025, at zero-dark-thirty:
Marathon (26.2); 23 participants
Half-marathon (13.1 miles); 36 participants
Norwegian Foot March (18.64 miles, 24.5 lb. pack); 238 started/165 completed
5K Run; 40 participants
1K Kiddie Run; 49 participants.
The Cavalry Marathon would not be complete without a BBQ at the completion. The BBQ was sponsored by the Blackhorse Association and funded through the generosity of the Stephens Family in honor of their father, CSM John Stephens, who was the Regimental Command Sergeant Major in 1977 and helped launch the first Cavalry Marathon in Fulda. The Stephens Family paid all the costs of the BBQ on behalf of the runners, marchers, Blackhorse Troopers, and their families. SMOKE, as RCSM Stephens was known, would approve.
The government shutdown crimped the marathon planning and prompted the BHA to ask its members for donations. The following answered the call and generously donated to the cause:
- Brian J. Butcher
- Alfred Bartlett
- Ken Masten
- Paul Gissible
- Brian Moore
- Art Cody
- Stewart McGregor
- Timothy Ferguson
- Mick Mineni
- Mike Sexton
- Rich Brown
- Frank P. Shray
- Jim Payne
- John Baer
- Dennis Kelemen
- Bob Garrott
- John Hooten
The Stephens Family donation made it possible for the above contributions to be used to support the Scholarship Fund, as they were no longer needed for the BBQ. We recognize these Troopers for answering the call and ultimately helping our core mission, which was born of a promise made by then-Colonel George S. Patton to a dying L Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment trooper on March 2, 1969, on a battlefield in Vietnam. The vow was to “not let people forget us” and “take care of our kids.”
Our Board Member Dan Newcome was asked to play Santa for the Regiment’s Christmas Lighting of the Tanks around the Blackhorse Memorial (please donate if you can), and what a fine and jolly Santa he was.
The BHA Board was well represented on the ground for the weekend’s events by Starling Cooper (VP-Engagement), Bob Hatcher (Director of Operations), Dan Newcome (Marathon Director), and Bobby Bell (Marketing).
Board Members met and greeted many young Troopers and family members, reminding them of who we are, what we do, and how to join. On Friday, Starling Cooper and Bobby Bell were taking a lunch break and sharing a pizza. Sitting at the table next to them was MSG Harrel and his wife, parents of Olivia Harrel. Olivia received the BG John Sherman Crow Scholarship for 2025–2026; she is currently attending college.
We wish to offer our thanks to all the volunteers that made the marathon happen this year.
Special thanks to the serving Blackhorse Troopers who supported the marathon, for without their help it could not be done. Also, we must recognize the prime movers for this year’s Marathon: Colonel Kevin Black, LTC Phillips, Captain Kevin Lee, and 1LT Cameryn Smith; their dedication was outstanding while pulling off this mighty undertaking.
