HQSPBn troops go head-to-head in Commander's Cup stamina challenge

Photo By Cpl. Miranda Blackburn | Headquarters and Support Battalion Marines make their way across a log during the April edition of the Commander's Cup Challenge aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, April 27.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

05.02.2012

Story by Cpl. Miranda Blackburn 

Marine Corps Installations East       

The rivals went through the two and a half mile grueling course filled with ruts, debris and overhanging trees, performing 22 different exercises and 11 obstacles while trying to attain the fastest time.

Some of the punishing exercises included burpees, buddy crunches, fireman's carry and building a house, ending the course with dreaded dive bomber pushups.

"This is a great playground," said Master Sgt. Stephen Coffman, an event coordinator for the Commander's Cup Challenge. "Unfortunately we haven't had much rain over the last couple of days because when it's flooded it's even better."

Teams were expected to complete each station as a team, conducting each workout in sync. If teams failed to work together, they were required to start the station over.

"It was rough, it was definitely a CO's challenge," said 1st Sgt. Nicole Freres, a Company A competitor. "Every obstacle, every exercise was a challenge. Throwing in exercises and having to do them as a team, together, I think that threw in a higher echelon of difficulty."

Covered in sweat and dirt, and probably some bumps and bruises, Marines crossed the finish line hoping for the best.

Out of the five teams that participated, Company B emerged victorious with a total time of 48 minutes, 28 seconds, defeating Security Company, as well as Company A and both Company I teams. The nearest competition for victory came from Security Company, who completed the challenge with a time of 49 minutes, 12 seconds.

"Personally, I have never done that course before but if the Marines ever want to give their section or unit a challenge, it's definitely worth running through and it was a good teamwork builder," said Freres. "The reason i did this was to show them that even though I'm 38, I can still go out there and do stuff with the Marines. As a first sergeant, you need to do what you preach and set the example."

"I might not have been the fastest one on the team but their first sergeant was out there with them while they were tired and worn out and I was right there along side of them doing exactly what they were doing," Freres added.

For more information on the next Commander's Cup Challenge, call Heidi Anastasia at 451-3399.

• Date Taken: 05.02.2012
• Date Posted: 05.02.2012 16:13
• Story ID: 87749
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US