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PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Service members, families and friends gathered at the Hickam Fitness Center on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to participate in a “Super Hero” themed 10K run July 25.
Participants were encouraged to dress up as their favorite super hero as a way to express themselves during the run.
“Every time we do a run, we typically have a theme,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adrienne McDonald, race coordinator and Airman assigned to the 647th Forward Support Squadron. “People seem to love it. They get involved and we really see the most participation whenever we host these types of runs.”
Before the race began, event coordinators held a costume contest to acknowledge those who went above and before in preparing their super hero outfit.
According to McDonald, the themed races bring a sense of camaraderie as participants get a chance to show off their costumes during the costume contest and during the course of the race.
“People sometimes get intimidated by long runs, and I’m thrilled to see so many participants in the race,” said McDonald. “Camaraderie is definitely lifted during these races, especially whenever we do costume contests and things like that. People really enjoy being a part of that.”
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Samira Gaye, race coordinator and Airman also assigned to the 647th, echoed McDonald’s sentiments, saying there is an extra sense of excitement as participants show up ready to show off their costumes.
“We have Superman, we have Wonder Woman, everyone’s coming out,” said Gaye. “I love the excitement people bring to these races, especially with the costumes and seeing people getting dressed up. The kids come out and dress up too, it’s such a fun time.”
For participants, the chance to don costumes offered another aspect to the race, aside from just competition.
“Dressing up really makes it more family friendly,” said U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Michael Clemens, race participant and Airman assigned to the 15th wing, 747th Communication Squadron. “There are definitely people out here competing, but most of the people are here just to have a good time, and it shows.”
“It really gives me a chance to express myself,” said Air Traffic Controlman 3rd Class Ruben Muñoz Jr., race participant and Sailor assigned to Fleet Area Control Surveillance Facility Pearl Harbor. “I feel like if we’re running around the base and some kids see us, it’d be a cool thing to see Captain America running down the street.”
However, in the end, for Muñoz and others, the race still represented a way to improve their physical fitness.
“I definitely want to do better on my PRT, so me and my Second Class came out here to try and get in better shape, and this is the perfect thing,” said Munoz. “We get to come out here and compete against each other and push each other. Also, it’s on base, which makes it that much easier to be a part of, since it’s so close.”
The Super Hero 10K was the final race in a series of runs designed to prepare participants for the ninth Annual Hickam Half-Marathon in August.
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.27.2015 19:11 |
| Story ID: | 171267 |
| Location: | PEARL HARBOR, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ‘Up, up and away’ they go during Pearl Harbor Super Hero 10K, by PO2 Johans Chavarro, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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