FORT STEWART, Ga. - The Spartans ended 2011 with a brigade run. The run started with pushups led by the commander on Cottrell Field to get the blood flowing; however, in a blink of an eye, that all changed as Soldiers took off in a mad dash towards the Spartan Field, where they were met by Col. Cardinale, who was waiting with one last gift--the Spartan Obstacle Challenge Relay Race.

Each 2nd Brigade unit, to include seven Soldiers from the 92nd Engineers, competed in the Spartan Race which included a tire flip, chain drag, water jug and log carry, ultimately building up to the final event-the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle better known as the Humvee push.

"The Spartan Obstacle Challenge Relay Race was all about optimizing Soldiers performance to achieve a level of fitness not thought possible," said Col. Douglas Cardinale, 2HBCT commander. "It is hard to be a Spartan, you must train harder-ready for any mission any time, anywhere."

The "Send Me" Run in Sparta originally was put out as a Marne Message for all Spartan Families to come out and show their support during the last 2011 2HBCT Run at Newman Fitness Field.

"We told everyone to come ready for a Brigade Run, We did not want to tell them about The Spartan Obstacle Challenge Relay Race events for fear that each unit would stack their team," said 2HBCT Command Sgt. Maj. Jefferson Moser.

"We knew that when you combine the stress of the unknown as well with physically-challenging events you have a hard workout both physically and mentally. That challenges Soldiers to become stronger, faster and better functioning on the battlefield," said Command Sgt. Maj. Moser.

This is the first time that the 92nd Engineers have been a part of the Spartan formation. It is fitting that their squad of seven high-speed Engineers would come out on top out of the seven teams who competed.

"We want to foster a 'culture of fitness' where Spartans are ready for any mission, any time," said Command Sgt. Maj. Moser.

The seven high speed warriors from the 92nd Engineers did not know when or what mission they would be called to execute, said Col. Cardinale. "But they met the Spartan Challenge."