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Hurlburt team wins first cross country challenge

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Mark Lazane
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Running enthusiasts from Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base took part in the first Hurlburt/Eglin Cross Country Challenge Dec. 19, at the Timberlake Recreation area near Eglin AFB. 

The runners crossed the starting line, ran roughly a quarter of a mile, made a sharp left and promptly disappeared into the wilderness of Eglin Range. They slowly began to emerge about 30 minutes later, sandy and tired, for a final dash to the finish line. 

Juan Moran, Air Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics Training Squadron, finished the five-mile course in 32:25 to lead the Hurlburt team to victory. 

This is the fifth season of cross country intramurals at Hurlburt Field. The successes of the Hurlburt Field league led Eglin to start a cross country season this year. The Challenge is the culmination of both installations' seasons and serves as an end of the year battle of lungs and legs between the two bases. 

The first team to have five runners complete the course was declared the winner.
Team Hurlburt was presented with a trophy that will be kept on display until next year's race. 

In addition to The Challenge trophy, awards were presented to the top three teams from Hurlburt Field. The STTS took home the first place trophy, with second and third place going to the 6th Special Operations Squadron and the AFSOC headquarters team, respectively. 

"We need more runners," said Mark Patterson, Chief of Combat Development Activities and head coach of the AFSOC HQ contingent. 

"People should run to stay fit," Mr. Patterson said. "They have to exercise anyway with the fitness program in the Air Force these days. During one of our races, we ran right by 400 people doing physical fitness on their own. Our goal is to get as many of those individuals as possible to join a team and compete." 

Though only the top five runners count towards team points, the only requirement to be a member of the team is a desire to run. 

"It's not about your run time," Mr. Patterson said. "I love to see the runner's faces as they get faster from race to race, maybe even beating a few people along the way. It's all about constant improvement." 

However, Mr. Patterson has some words of advice for those who approach the sport too casually. 

"It's not your mother's 5K," he said with a laugh. "It is a little tougher than normal, but we are AFSOC, we are supposed to be a little tougher."

The next cross country season will begin around the first week of October, 2009. Those interested should contact their unit sports representative for sign up information.