Fort Buchanan, PR- With the intent of promoting the balance , morale and wellbeing among its workforce, families and the military community across the island, the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico (1st Mission Support Command) celebrated a Sports Festival and a 5k run, 19 Nov at Fort Buchanan.
The event was funded with the Army Communities of Excellence (ACOE) monetary award that the 1st MSC received last year.
The Sports Festival included many activities for the family, such as an obstacle course, Gotcha paintball, water slide, rock climbing wall and others events.
"We really appreciate not only the participation of the 1st MSC soldiers, but also the participation of the whole military community. I hope you enjoyed this event," said Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernández, commander of the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, 1st Mission Support Command.
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Angel Rios, from Carolina, PR, came with his family to participate in the event.
"This type of activities is very important for the military community. It maintains the family balanced and the good relations among soldiers," said Rios who was accompanied by his wife and two children.
As part of the benefits of participating in the event, the command distributed promotional items to all registered participants. A gym bag, an aluminum water bottle, a hat and shirts were part of the coveted articles received by the participants.
The main event of the day was the 5k run, which started at 4:30 p.m.
The overall winner of the race, with 18 minutes, 31 seconds, was Dennis Rodriguez, a University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo campus, student, who is the son of Orlando Rodriguez, a federal employee.
"This is the first time I participate in this type of event at Fort Buchanan, but I really enjoyed the race. I tried to run fast from the beginning, until I found my place in the group. Fortunately, I was able to maintain my pace the whole time," said Rodriguez.
The overall winner for the female category was Sgt. 1st Class Saby Calo, 1st MSC Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, with 23 minutes and 59 seconds.
"It was challenging because there was another female that I thought was going to pass me. But I liked it very much. I think this race should happen again next year," said Calo.
Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Santiago, assigned to the 268th Transportation Company, was the first 1st MSC male service member crossing the finish line.
"This was a very good run. I found the last 800 meters to be more challenging because there was a hill. But other than that, I feel happy to be able to make a good representation of the 1st MSC", said Santiago who has been mobilized twice to Iraq.
"This is a great event because I had the opportunity of bringing my children and creating great family bonding," said Santiago.
There were many service members, families and members of the military community who participated in the day's events.
There were over 160 participants registered in the race, with several male and female categories.
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