Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Paris Capers | Lance Cpl. Miguel Ramirez (right) gives it his all in the final stretch of the...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – Dappled in the crisp sunlight peeking through the clouds overhead, a white-haired man adjusts his snug ball cap with his left hand, while clutching an unholstered pistol tight in his right. He slowly steps toward a group of Marines and raises his hand to fire.
With the crack of his pistol, the group lurches away, pumping their arms furiously while driving their knees up to chest height, and digging their toes into the red track to gain every inch of distance from him.
Men, women and children participated in a track and field meet hosted by Barber Physical Activity Center at Butler Stadium on Aug. 8, 2013.
Onlookers shrieked loudly as the runners moved further and further way, then cheered even louder as they rounded the bend and rocketed onto the straightaway. A few of the runners broke ahead of the pack and were already back at the recovery tent, sipping cold water from small paper cups, but today they were in it for the fun.
The 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter sprint, shotput throw and 2-mile race were some of the events hosted.
“Runners, there are two commands,” shouted an experienced high school coach, adjusting his worn ball cap, still holding his plugged starter pistol. “I’ll say ‘runners, on your mark,’ then the pistol marks go. Got it?” After lining up six poised runners, he pulled the trigger to start the next race like he had done four times prior.
Soon after the meet began, Butler Stadium was filled with laughter as droves of children from Quantico’s Summer Camp filed in to participate in the upcoming children’s segment.
Each child received a chance to complete in a 100-meter dash and a 400-meter race around the track for a medal.
“Participating in events like this teaches the children the importance of staying active, working out and eating healthy,” said Benita Sanders, one of the summer camp’s counselors. “I’m happy we got to attend, because they all did an awesome job.”
As the children crossed the finish line, some of their counselors were waiting with open arms, words of encouragement and medals to show that hard work pays off.
“It’s almost back to school time so we hope these lessons stick,” said Sanders.
Although the youngest runners each claimed a medal, all of the older participants had to run hard for their awards. Runners like Lance Cpl. Miguel Ramirez, with Transportation Support Platoon, Officer Candidates School, who was awarded multiple first place medals for his efforts.
“I love to run, and there’s some good competition out here,” said Ramirez. “I ran track my last two years of high school and it translated well coming into the Marine Corps.”
For some of the competitors, it was about seeing where they stacked up against Marines. Competitors like Justyn Raymond, a recent high school graduate with plans to join the Marine Corps, raced alongside men and women charged with defending the nation and held their own.
“I’ve been recovering from an injury for the last few years,” Raymond said. “But I felt strong out there, and I was able to give some of the Marines a run for their money. If I had been training, I’d have done much better.”
After the final race was done, awards were presented to the best teams and individuals at the meet.
Marine Corps Air Facility took overall best with 135 points, followed by Marine Corps Intelligence Activity in second, and Marine Helicopter Squadron One in third place. Manpower Management Support Branch and Officer Candidates School took fourth and fifth place, respectively.
| Date Taken: | 08.08.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2013 10:06 |
| Story ID: | 111934 |
| Location: | VA., VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 109 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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