FORT SILL, Okla. -- It was a cold and windy morning, but that didn't stop 167 people from running up and down some very rugged terrain, May 14. The 30th Air Defense Artillery Extreme 5k Run pitted humans against the elements at the Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area.

1st Lt. Joseph DiDonato, 2nd Battalion, 6th ADA, crossed the finish line first with a time of 30 minutes, 54 seconds. From a half mile away, a long line of runners could be seen descending the hill to the west where an ambulance was stationed in case of a medical emergency. They came in by ones and in small groups.

Sgt. 1st Class Albert Sinclair, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 30th ADA, handed each runner a banana for pick-me-up energy, and then they could choose from a variety of electrolyte-replenishing drinks or water. Many who finished the race cheered on the rest as they headed into the home stretch.

Logan King, a biology student at Cameron University, was cheered on by his wife Esther and their 15 month old son Rory. They were among the few spectators who braved the unseasonably cold wind to watch their loved ones.

Kiersten Auker looked for her husband Pvt. Timothy Auker, and her friend Savanna Martinez-Tores stood next to her with 3-week-old Adelina hidden in a carrier, and 4-year-old Vivianna huddled with her pink jacket's hoodie up. They waited for Pvt. Gregg Martinez to finish the race.