JBLM cross-country finale a soggy one

By Somer Breeze-Hanson, Northwest GuardianMay 4, 2012

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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Corey Sigmund enjoyed the sunny weather and dry ground while growing up as a distance runner in San Diego. Coming up on his first year in the Army stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the avid runner has now been introduced to the wet and rainy conditions.

While it may have slowed down his time, his skill gave him the edge as he was the overall first place finisher at the 2012 JBLM Cross-Country Series No. 3 race April 25. He finished the muddy, hilly five-mile trail course behind Soldiers Field House on Lewis Main in 34 minutes, 14 seconds.

"I've never ran in hardcore rain or harsh weather such as this," Sigmund said. "I'm used to the heat."

While the previous two races in the series also had wet conditions, it was nothing compared to the downpour that nearly postponed the final run. But since there was no lightning the race went on and while the JBLM race calendar includes two scheduled mud runs, the cross country final very much qualified for an impromptu mud run.

Runners crossed the finish line with the backs of their legs and shirts covered in mud. Some managed to stay on their feet during the entire run while others weren't so lucky.

"I ate it right around the first corner," Sigmund said.

But the runner from Headquarters and Headquarters Company 593rd Sustainment Brigade recovered quickly and finished almost a full minute ahead of second place overall finisher Benjamin Mathewson of the 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion.

The 56th MMB had four runners finish in the top 10. Shamai Sullivan of 56th MMB was the first woman to cross the finish line and was the 11th overall finisher in a time of 39:07. The unit won the overall series title with a total time of 8:28:27. HHC, 593rd Special Troops Battalion finished second (9:11:23) and 9th Financial Management Company took third (9:26:35).

"We started recruiting runners two months ago and started practicing during physical training," Sullivan said.

Sullivan who ran cross country at the collegiate level also has represented JBLM on the Army Ten-Miler team.

"I'm really proud of my teammates and the dedication they've shown," she said. "It's really nice to run with a group of people who want to be out here."

The 56th MMB even had maroon team shirts with their last names on the back. Ted Wynne of 9th FMCO wanted to be sure he stood out in a different way by running in purple shorts, pink shoes and a banana costume.

"I try to be a team player here," Wynne said. "I think it helps a lot of other people because they see me run by and they're like, 'I'm not getting beat by the guy in the banana suit,' and they speed up and beat me."

Wynne managed to stay on his feet the entire course and finished 14th overall with a time of 39:54.

Series Results

2012 JBLM Cross-Country Series overall unit standings:

1st: 56th MMB

2nd: HHC 593rd STB

3rd: 9th FMCO

4th: 22nd HRC