A running team of 30 Sailors assigned to the Pearl Harbor-based Los Angeles-class attack submarine, USS Los Angeles (SSN 688), represented the Navy for the Sounds of Freedom division during the 24th Annual Hawaiian Telcom Great Aloha Run Feb. 18 in Honolulu.

The event served as an opportunity for Los Angeles Sailors to enhance their culture of fitness by competing in the annual 8.15-mile run.

"For the military to participate and run together in units, it really shows togetherness unlike anything else anyone does in the run," said Rodney Gouveia, athletic director, commander, Navy Region Hawaii Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

The Sailors joined more than 3,000 Sounds of Freedom runners for the event, which began at the Aloha Tower in downtown Honolulu. The course took the participants along Nimitz Highway, past Naval Station Pearl Harbor, and finished at Aloha Stadium.

For Chief Machinist's Mate (SS) Curtis Mastalski, assigned to Los Angeles and representing the Navy as a runner for the Sounds of Freedom division, the event was an opportunity to reinforce a culture of fitness within his command.

"It was great to get all the guys doing an activity outside the [command]," said Mastalski. "It shows camaraderie and lets the Sailors know they could overcome obstacles they didn't think they could."

Los Angeles Chief of the Boat (SS) Andre Green, was also on hand to help lead the command's team across the finish line.

"I had a great time running, it was the best way to get ready for [our next] underway," said Green. "We even made it an all-family event, with spouses and families supporting the Navy's culture of fitness."

The Sounds of Freedom division is composed of all military branches running together as a group in formation, sounding off to cadence throughout the course. Over the past 23 years, the Great Aloha Run has raised more than $7.8 million for more than 100 nonprofit health and human service organizations and community groups throughout Hawaii.