NCOs gather for 5k fun run at Casey

By Jim Cunningham IMCOM KOREAMarch 4, 2009

NCOs gather for 5k fun run at Casey
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – More than 50 Noncommissioned Officers leap forward at the sound of the starting gun fired by Command Sgt. Maj. Earlene Lavendar (left), Command Sgt. Maj. USAG-RC, to begin the Year of the NCO 5k Fun Run on USAG-Casey Feb. 28. - U.S. Army photo by Jim... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
NCOs gather for 5k fun run at Casey
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NCOs gather for 5k fun run at Casey
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – John Hamilton (left) receives a coin from Command Sgt. Maj. Earlene Lavendar (right), USAG-RC Command Sgt. Maj., after finishing 1 with a time of 18:58:23 in the Year of the NCO 5k Fun Run held in front of the Carey Fitness Center on USAG-Casey Feb. ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
NCOs gather for 5k fun run at Casey
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
NCOs gather for 5k fun run at Casey
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
NCOs gather for 5k fun run at Casey
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Virginia Metzger (left) accepts coin from Command Sgt. Maj. Earlene Lavendar, USAG-RC Command Sgt. Maj., for finishing 1 in the Women's Division with a time of 19:40:14 during the Year of the NCO 5k Fun Run held on USAG-Casey Feb. 28. - U.S. Army pho... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CASEY GARRISON - Noncommissioned officers in Area I gathered outside of Carey Fitness Center on USAG-Casey Feb. 28 to kick-off Installation Management Command's Year of the NCO Fun Run. More than 50 NCOs participated in the run, which covered 5 kilometers between Carey Fitness Center and the Camp Hovey Physical Fitness Center.

"This is the kind of event you can get not only the NCOs to do but also all of those who want to support the corps, to come out and enjoy themselves," said Command Sgt. Maj. Earlene Lavender, USAG-RC Command Sgt. Maj. "It feels good to get up on a Saturday morning, no pressure, and let everyone know, 'hey, we are here for the Army.'"

Virginia Metzger placed 1 in the Women's Division with a time of 25:33:70. Brandy Cardona placed 2 in the Women's Division with a time of 25:54:83. John Hamilton placed 1 in the Men's Division with a time of 18:58:23; Michael Harmon finished 2 with a time of 19:00:32. Joshua Dehnert finished 3 with a time of 19:40:14. There were 43 men participating and seven women.

Coins were given to the top three men finishers and to the 1st place finisher in the Women's Division.

"I hope we are going to gain some camaraderie," Lavender said. "I know everyone will show good sportsmanship and everyone out here will improve themselves and let everyone know we are here for the Army."

Although the run is the first for the Year of the NCO in Area I, Lavender believes the Year of the NCO events will only get better.

"There will be so many events throughout the year, we can only get better," she said. "Certain brigades will host the runs monthly, and we are also going to pick up more members in the Audie Murphy Club. Furthermore, we will have movies highlighting our NCOs throughout the year. We have even been challenged by our civilian counterparts to a bowling championship this month."