Runners brave heat for Jive Turkey

  • Published
  • By Megan Just
  • 452nd AMW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  Thirty nine runners and walkers participated in the Fitness Center's Jive Turkey 5K Run/Walk Nov. 4. The course was 3.1 miles, beginning and ending at the fitness chart kiosk on the running track on Chanute Avenue.

Lt. Col. Matt Mireles won the race with a time of 20 minutes, 20 seconds. Colonel Mireles is stationed at the Air Force Headquarters at the Pentagon and was at March to attend the 701st Combat Operations Squadron's conference that began Nov. 3.

A cluster of runners relaxing and stretching after the race described the course as, "a big straight away with a hairpin turn at the end" and "nice and flat." They said that the main scenery of the course were the businesses through the base's chain length fence and across Cactus Avenue: Carl's Junior, a donut shop, and a Mexican Restaurant.

First, second and third place trophies went to winners in the male, female and walker categories. Each participant received a Jive Turkey t-shirt and a bottle of Gatorade, donated by Gatorade, a Jive Turkey sponsor.

At 10 a.m., an hour before the 5K began, runners gathered for a running clinic with Brian Kuehner from the Running Center in Carlsbad. Kuehner focused on the basics of proper running attire and footwear. He explained the difference in running gaits (pronation, supination, neutral) and the importance of wearing running shoes that provide the correct type of motion control.

Maj. Brenda Hendricksen, Executive Officer for the 163d Air National Guard Reconnaissance Wing, also spoke at the clinic, giving the group advice on stretching, increasing mileage and injuries. Major Hendricksen is a marathon runner, the 163d's Fitness Information Manager and an instructor at the Fitness Center. She was the top female finisher at the Jive Turkey.

It was the hottest it's ever been for one of these 5Ks," said Major Hendricksen, who is a veteran of more than 10 of March 5Ks.

Second place female runner Master Sgt. Norine Gittins of the 163d Reconnaissance Wing agreed. "It wouldn't have been so hard if it wasn't so hot."

Temperatures reached 85 degrees that day, which is 20 degrees hotter than the average for this time of year.

Pam Smith, the Fitness Center Director, organized the race and the running clinic. "Our 5Ks are one of our biggest events in terms of numbers," she said.

The running clinic was the second in a continuing series that Smith created after the new Air Force PT requirements were announced at the end of August.

"We're just trying to do something to help the troops meet their new fitness goals," Smith said.

The 5K races are held once a quarter with the next race being the "Happy New Year Run" in the beginning of January 2010.

TOP JIVE TURKEY FINISHERS
Men
1. Lt. Col. Matt Mireles 20:20
2. Tech. Sgt. Duane Bogart, 22:28
3. Staff Sgt. Robert Huerta, 22:38

Women
1. Maj. Brenda Henricksen, 25:01
2. Master Sgt. Norine Gittins, 25:54
3. Master Sgt. Cyndie Sartini, 27:01

Walkers
1. Blandino Asuncion, 31:51
2. Master Sgt. Shirley Hunter, 39:34
3. Ernie Roux, 39:41