Family fun on St. Paddy's Day run

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. - Members of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord community participated in the 4th annual St. Patrick's Day 5k and 10K run on JBLM, March 12.

The run was a family friendly, healthy alternative for those who wanted to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

"It is a fun activity for the families," said Minerva Hohaia, sports specialist, Morale Welfare and Recreation, sports division. "You can run with your children or your spouse in your St. Paddy's day attire and just have a nice fun time. It's nearby, right in your back yard."

Both Soldiers and families were welcome to come to the event.

"There is a good mix of both soldiers and families," said Hohaia. "We do have families that come out with strollers who will be at the back of the pack. They can exercise, walk the 5k and just have a nice relaxing time."

During the St. Patrick's Day run the green wasn't just in the trees.

"It's a themed event for St. Paddy's and people like to get dressed up for the season with green and anything St.Paddy's day," said Kathleen Salcedo, MWR, intramural sports coordinator. "People wear flashing glasses, lime green wigs, and some wear leprechaun shoes."

Those who weren't dressed in green for the occasion had the option to receive some holiday spirit from the MWR.

"We have goodies to give out to people not wearing green," said Hohaia. "We have some bandanas, sunglasses, tattoos, and beads. If they aren't wearing green we can give them some."

Some of the runners, such as Sgt. Christopher Pepple, paralegal specialist, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, who participated in the event were there to meet personal running goals and mostly have some fun.

"I came to the run to improve my cardiovascular and my run time and to have comradery with everyone else who likes to run," said Pepple.

A husband and wife team decided that the St. Paddy's day run would be a fun, healthy way to spend their weekend.

"We both decided we wanted to do it," said 1st Lt. Nelson Muniz, 63rd Ordinance Company, 80th Ordinance Battalion. "My wife said she wanted to run, I said okay and we started to train from there; it was a joint effort."

All the training for the event really brought the couple closer.

"It's all fun, getting prepared for it, working out together, getting all the stuff for it and getting dressed up," said Hyun Muniz, 1st Lt. Muniz's wife. "It's a bonding experience."

Nelson said he and his wife would absolutely do it again; not just the St. Paddy's day run, but pretty much any other 5K coming up, and they would even work towards a 10K.

Rain or shine runners will run.

"Even though it's raining here today we can still have fun," said Hohaia. "In Washington you have to do everything in the rain. Whether it's wet or dry, we still have the events."