Photo by Jim Dresbach
Runners take their first paces of the 2012 SAAM 5K road race and one mile walk. Over 100 runners and walkers paced the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall streets on the morning of April 20.
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Walkers, runners tackle S.A.A.M. 5K course
Over 100 walkers and runners trotted and strolled Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall streets during the S.A.A.M [Sexual Assault Awareness Month] 5K-1 mile race during the morning of April 20.
In the second of the Commander’s Cup Race Series, Ray Matthews claimed the male title with a winning time of 00:17:48, and Marine Capt. Mary Blair bested the female field with a 00:20:11 clocking.
Not only was Blair pleased with the low morning humidity and temperature, but she was excited to help pass the word about sexual assault issues.
“On base especially, it is good to have a chance to really do something that matters,” Blair said. “We run all the time because it is part of the job. Particularly now, with all the attention [sexual abuse receives], we need to have awareness because awareness leads to education and education leads to prevention.”
Informally participating in the 5K and mile walk was JBM-HH Commander Col. Carl R. Coffman while the Command Sgt. Maj. Necati Akpinar Family registered as walkers and completed the one-mile excursion. During the post-race awards ceremony, Coffman awarded trophies and coins to race winners and to age-division champs. Coffman also recognized the Rader Clinic running team which won the largest unit participating prize with a group close to 20 runners and walkers.
“As far as raising [sexual assault] awareness, we get out there to show our support as a team,” said Sgt. 1st Class Dionte Wilder, who served as Rader Clinic’s running team spokesperson. “Every step we take, every pain we feel, we hope it raises awareness. We want people to be aware [of sexual abuse], and we are going to do something about it and not ignore it.”
Fourteen individual athletes were recognized for winning the walking portion of the race and respective age division categories. The first walkers to cross the fitness center were Brandon Armbrester and Julie Privott. Male age division winners are Juan Rodriquez [18-24]; Alex Pugh [25-29]; Matthew VanAuken [30-34]; Chad Shuey [35-39]; Mike Byrne [45-49] and Dave Crawford [50 and over].
Female age division winners were Alexa Minners [12 and below]; Brenda Trosset [18-24]; Wendy Meyer [25-29]; Angel Boord [35-39 and second female overall]; Stacy Weina [40-44] and Catherine Masar [45-49].
The next scheduled JBM-HH road race is the Army Ten Miler 10K qualifier on May 11.