Warfit gets Wacky

Published July 23, 2014
By Master Sgt. Kevin Williarms
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Warfit, the 21st Space Wing's monthly physical fitness activity, had a different approach to its usual 5K run July 18. By adding nine obstacles including mud pits, water hazards and increasing the length to 3.25 miles, it had the look and feel of "mud runs" held in different locations all over the country. This month's event was named "The Wacky Warfit."

The event was comprised of 40 4-person teams competing for the fastest time in the wing. Most teams wore matching shirts, while other teams went with the "wacky" theme of the event.
From the 21st Medical Operations Squadron, team "Doing Work" made sure they were noticed. They wore the most unusual costume arrangements of any other team. Wearing suspenders, goofy glasses, tutus and a wrestling championship belt, they enjoyed the event while getting a great workout.

"We'll take the mud run any day," said the tutu-clad Capt. Elizabeth Persico. "We kept a good pace and we are winners in our minds. This is so much better than what we normally do for Warfit."

With a time of 30 minutes, 22 seconds, the "Honey Badgers" from the 21st Communications Squadron finished with the best overall time. The badgers are Staff Sgt. Tran Le, Staff Sgt. Thomas Rentschler, Senior Airman Derrek Deherrera and Airman 1st Class Javier Ruiz. The 2-time Warfit champs enjoyed the obstacles and hopes the wing will continue to do similar events.

This was even more fun than the 5K, said Staff Sgt. Tran Le, 21st CS. "This definitely made for a better competition."

The Wacky Warfit was a Pikes Peak Top 3 initiative led my Master Sgt. Geoffrey Vandyck from headquarters Air Force Space Command.
"We might continue to do this and open it up to more teams," said Vandyck. "We maxed out on teams that could participate. We still had people wanting to sign up and compete right up until the event started."

Those who were not on a team were still able to participate and run the normal Warfit 5K.

Vandyck said an event like this took a lot of planning and coordination to pull off. He credits the success of the event to the civil engineer squadron, security forces, medical personnel and all the volunteers who chipped in to make it happen.

Vandyck gave a huge shout out to the fire department for their efforts with the water hazards, including the fire hose canopy that made certain everyone competing was drenched right before crossing the finish line.

Before the "Honey Badgers" were presented their medals, all competitors gathered on the running track behind the fitness center. They were soaked, sore, muddy and exhausted. They couldn't have been happier.