April 2 Run Commemorates Former ROTC Cadet Killed in Afghanistan

The University of Virginia’s Army ROTC program will host the ninth annual R.J. Hess Memorial 5-Kilometer Race on Saturday, starting at 8 a.m. at Carr’s Hill Field.

The race is held in memory of 1st Lt. Robert Joseph “R.J.” Hess, who was commissioned as an aviation officer in 2010 from the Cavalier Battalion. Hess was killed in combat in Pul-e-Alam, Afghanistan, on April 23, 2013. Ret. U.S. Army Col. Robert T. Hess Sr., R.J. Hess’ father, will deliver a brief address before the race begins.

Each year, the Cavalier Battalion holds the race to honor Hess and collect funds for a charity selected by the Hess family; this year’s charity is the Companion Animal Fund in Charlottesville.

1st Lt. Robert Joseph “R.J.” Hess was killed in combat in Pul-e-Alam, Afghanistan, on April 23, 2013. (Contributed photo)

“This charity is near and dear to the Hess family’s hearts because R.J. was such an animal lover and spent a significant amount of time volunteering with animals while in college,” said Army ROTC Cadet Caroline Davidson, one of the organizers of the race.

The Army ROTC has also created The R.J. Hess Leadership Award and Scholarship in his memory, which is awarded each year to a commissioning second lieutenant.

Registration for the race is currently online. Cadets are not required to pay for race entry. Runners can also participate virtually from anywhere in the world. Fees collected cover the cost of the event and a donation to the Companion Animal Fund.

Local runners will gather at Carr’s Hill Field, with the race starting at the Culbreth Road parking garage, crossing Beta Bridge, around Lambeth Field and back to Rugby Road, where they will head south. Racers will cross University Avenue, running through the Lawn to McCormick Road. Race participants will follow McCormick Road to Alderman Road, on to Scott Stadium, then north along Emmet Street to end at Carr’s Hill Field.

Prizes will be awarded to the first male and female finishers, and food and beverages will be available for finishers. Further information is available here.

Hess was a 2005 graduate of Robinson High School in Fairfax, where he played football and lacrosse, and captained the swimming team. He was selected to be an Army aviator and attended Basic Officer Leaders Course and flight school in 2011.

In the Army, Hess received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the NATO Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Army Aviator Badge.