Jason Lopardo came across the finish line of the Super Scout Challenge 5K race at Fairfield Hills on April 16 in the middle of the pack among nearly 100 other finishers on hand to support Newtown Boy Scout Troop 70.

Among the big differences between Lopardo and the other runners: He has 13 screws and two metal plates in his left arm, a steel rod in his left femur, two pins in his hip, fake teeth, and three metal plates in his face.

Mr Lopardo suffered serious injuries caused by a roadside bomb, an improvised explosive device, during his time serving our country as a Marine in Iraq more than a decade ago.

The 34-year-old Bronx, N.Y., native is the inspiration for 12-year-old Troop 70 Boy Scout Michael Early's Eagle Scout Project to help raise awareness and funds to benefit wounded US war veterans, a fundraising effort separate from the 5K. The 12-year-old sold "Michael's Warrior Project" T-shirts at the race and, along with other scouts, handed out water and cheered on runners as part of their troop volunteer efforts. Mr Lopardo was on hand to help support both Michael and the troop.

Mr Lopardo took up scuba diving and is training to become a scuba diving instructor at Captain Mike's Diving Services in the Bronx. He had previously come to the Newtown High School pool to give scouts a lesson on scuba diving; Captain Mike's owner Mike Carew is a friend of Michael's father, Mike Early.

Michael recently achieved his scuba diver certification, which he says happened in large part due to the help he got from Mr Lopardo. Inspired by Mr Lopardo, Michael's objective is to set up an organization to provide wounded warriors an opportunity to experience life-changing sporting activities such as scuba diving, deep sea fishing, and water skiing. He is hopeful that such opportunities will inspire veterans to try something new, build self-confidence, and achieve success.

"It's been kind of my saving grace," Mr Lopardo said of picking up scuba diving and taking his newfound skills and applying them toward becoming an instructor, something he plans to accomplish this summer.

As tough as the run may have been for the race participants, it doesn't compare to the path Mr Lopardo has had since his injuries.

"I had a lot of ups and downs when I first got out," Mr Lopardo said. "I had to learn to walk and talk."

Mr Lopardo isolated himself from society for a period time and has overcome drug and alcohol abuse. "It was a very hard road for me," he said.

Mr Lopardo finished the race with a time of 29:22. The race winner was 44-year-old Woodbridge resident Jeffrey Townsend who completed the course in a time of 18:48.

"This is a beautiful trail to run. They did a really good job with the race - I'm really impressed," said Mr Townsend, whose daughter, 9-year-old Sarah Galvani-Townsend, also ran the course. "It's an awesome cause. I'm so excited to be able to contribute to a good cause."

The second-place finisher was Troop 70 member TJ Linse, 15, who came across the finish line in 19:47.

"It feels great. It was pretty hard," TJ said of the run.

The other top ten runners are as follows: 3. Joshua Cordeira, 19:57; 4. Parker McKenzie, 20:20; 5. Bradley Sanchez, 21:00; 6. Forest Robertson, 21:31; 7. Jonathan Nahmias, 21:37; 8. Hunter Kirkman, 21:55; 9. Del Torino, 22:14; 10. Kayla Ondy, 22:27. Ondy, 11, was the top female finisher.

Assistant Scout Master Jeff Zibluk said the race "supports the troop for what we do for troop events, as well as town activities."

The troop plans to make the race an annual event.

"It's a great opportunity for people to come out and support the Boy Scouts," adds John Queenan, a scout committee member.

Mr Lopardo said the way he impacted Michael, and is viewed, came as a surprise.

"It really blew my mind. I was just doing my job and got unlucky," he said of being injured by the bomb.

"I can't emphasize enough how great these kids are," Mr Lopardo said. "I hope a lot of people help [Michael] to help a lot more veterans. We all need help - one way or another."

"Hopefully I'll be able to raise a lot of money for these wounded warriors," adds Michael, whose parents Bonnie and Mike were on hand to support their son, his troop peers, and all of the runners.

For information on Michael's Warrior Project, visit michaelswarriorproject.com, and for race results, visit fasttracktiming.com.