Retired and active duty military members participate in annual Eco Challenge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Hikers, runners, kayakers and bike riders started their day at 9 a.m. July 19 to participate in the Eco Challenge hosted here every year by the 673d Force Support Squadron.

The Eco Challenge was created to boost morale and give participants an alternative to sitting on the couch, said Linda Neely, 673d FSS Fitness Center assistant manager.

"It provides individuals an opportunity to get out and do something active," Tom Lawson, 673d FSS Fitness Center manager, said.

Many of the individuals who participated in the Eco Challenge have been doing it since 2009. Participants said they appreciate it for the outdoor fun and challenge it brings them.

"I didn't come to Alaska to sit at home," Bill Kane, a 59-year-old military retiree.

Lawson has been the coordinator for the Eco Challenge every year for the past seven years at Hillberg Ski Area, located behind the flight line on JBER.

"People who have done this event year after year really enjoy the event," Neely said.

Lawson said the amount of participants who sign up for this event has increased every year by a few individuals just by word of mouth and advertisement. He said teams have been getting bigger with three to 12 teams consisting of two to four people each. All individuals participating in the event had to be over the age of 18.

Before the race started, participants in the Eco Challenge were given numbers. These numbers keep track of who the individuals are and if they go missing.

The challenge started with a four-and-a-half-mile run in the woods leading to the nine-mile bike ride, which had individuals go through twists and turns on dusty dirt roads and circle around for the next challenge.

Kayaks were awaiting them after the bike ride. Individuals had the choice to bring a kayak for the challenge or use one provided by the FSS. Every year, at least one participant has fallen into the water while kayaking.

"This was the first year participants refused to fall into the water while kayaking," Lawson said. "I was really suprised."

After the kayak challenge, the individuals put on weighted back packs and hiked up rocky hills and trails through the woods. Both men and women were required to weigh down their back packs, women with 25 pounds and men with 35 pounds.

Personnel volunteering for the event rode on all-terrain vehicles to watch for anyone straying off the trails or lend some help if there was any wildlife that could endanger them.

Participants said the course wasn't easy, including the first-place winner Air Force Lt. Col. Louis Guillermo, 673d Medical Group ear, nose and throat surgeon.

"I was cramping up," Guillermo said. "The hike was the hardest."

Despite the challenging events, many individuals were sore and happy they participated.

"Every year at the same spot, I tell myself I am never doing this again," Kane said. "But I find myself at the starting line."