Weekend fun; Soldier style

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Chance | Command Sgt. Maj. David O. Turnbull, U.S. Army Military District of Washington command sergeant major and Boston native, celebrates before climbing a net rope during the four-mile Spartan sprint event held at Wicomico Motorsports Park in Charlotte Hall, Md., July 26, 2014. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer C. Johnson, JFHQ-NCR/MDW Public Affairs)  

CHARLOTTE HALL, MD, UNITED STATES

07.26.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Chance 

Joint Task Force - National Capital Region

WASHINGTON -- Seven members from the U.S. Army Military District of Washington participated in their second annual Spartan race held at Wicomico Motorsports Park in Charlotte Hall, Maryland.

The race was a 4-mile sprint with more than 15 obstacles that tested participant's athletic skills, as well as their ability to work as a team in order to move from one obstacle to another.

"I thought this would be a fun event to do again with the command," said Command Sgt. Maj. David O. Turnbull, MDW command sergeant major and team captain. "It was a great work out and I think the obstacles are a great way to help build esprit-de-corps with the Soldiers and civilians that participated."

"This race was a great tool for teaching team building and trust," said Sgt. William C. Chappell, MDW Command movement coordinator. "It teaches you to trust your teammates and tests your own abilities as a physically fit Soldier."

Obstacles included climbing a 9-foot wall, low crawling through a barbed wire mud pit, rope climbs, and jumping over a fire pit, which tested the member's agility and willingness to work together.

"It was a great event to do as a team," said Turnbull, from Boston, Mass. "I'm glad everyone had a good time. That's really what it's all about."

"This is my first Spartan race, but I think everybody at the command could really benefit from this event," said Chappell, from Mansfield, Texas. "The race teaches participates cohesion and confidence, and it also teaches a person to adapt and overcome physical limits, forcing you to use the resources around you. I had fun!"

• Date Taken: 07.26.2014
• Date Posted: 07.31.2014 10:49
• Story ID: 137836
• Location: CHARLOTTE HALL, MD, US
• Hometown: BOSTON, MA, US
• Hometown: MANSFIELD, TX, US
• Hometown: ROSEAU, MN, US
• Hometown: THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN, US