Eco Challenge tests Arctic Warrior's skills, endurance

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  A nine-mile bike race and a four-mile weighted hike up hills and through the woods with some running and kayaking in between is how 35 Elmendorf Airmen and families started their morning July 10. 

The 5th annual Eco Challenge was held at Hillberg ski area, located on the back side of base. The event has grown steadily since starting with 12 participants in 2004. 

Participants can either do the individual event or they can form groups of two to four and tag team the event. 

The challenge starts with a 4 ½ mile run through rocky hills, a nine mile bike race down a long stretch of road, then back into the wooded area dropping their bikes, and heading to the lake where the kayaks awaited them. 

Participants kayaked to one end of the lake and back totaling a ½ mile. Several people could not help falling into the lake while trying to balance themselves before they finished the race. Once they finished kayaking, donned their weighted backpacks and began to hike the rough and rugged four mile hike. The men's backpacks weighed 35 pounds and the women's 20 pounds. 

The hike was the most difficult part of the Eco Challenge, said Tom Lawson, the event coordinator. The first and second place male and female finishers and the first place team were awarded prizes of shirts, towels and medical kits. 

By participating in the event it helped its participants to stay in shape, Lawson said. 

"In order to get out there and do it, they have to prepare for it," Lawson said. 

Lawson also said that this event is fun to set up and all of its participants really seem to enjoy it. 

This event is free of charge, is open to all who have access to the base fitness center and is scheduled every year after the Fourth of July.