WHICHITA, Kan. – A group of U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers and friends will gather for a 2.6 mile run tonight to finish a marathon on behalf of a veteran friend who died Saturday.
Retired Col. Chris Wilson, who served a full military career, died during a marathon on Sept. 8 while he was 2.6 miles away from the finish line. Wilson’s death took family and friends by surprise because he was considered in good health and an active outdoorsman. Wilson recently retired from service and had previously run the Army Ten-Miler.
The run will begin with a ceremony at 7:00 p.m. at the Plum Shelter at Sedgwick County Park, 6501 W. 21st Street North, Wichita, Kansas.
Soldiers from the 346th Military Police Company, located in Fort Riley, Kansas, and the 530th MP Battalion, located in Elkhorn, Nebraska, who served with Wilson will be participate in the run.
Wilson joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 1984 and served for 33 years as a military police officer, with four deployments during his career. He earned two Bronze Stars and the Legion of Merit in recognition for his leadership and accomplishments.
Wilson’s body is expected to be cremated and honored in three locations: at his funeral, at his family farm and on a mountain by his hiking friends.
Wilson’s obituary may be found here: http://www.heritageofandover.com/obituary/christopher-wilson