FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- The final event of the Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour will be held at the Division Parade Field Saturday, concluding the near yearlong fitness program.
"The Culminator is the last event -- a fantastic ending to an incredible year of events," said Catherine Walker, Fort Campbell Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation special events manager.
The Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour issued its initial challenge to the Fort Campbell and the local community in February after unveiling its 10-month program of fitness activities the month prior.
Aimed at linking Fort Campbell to surrounding communities, its goal has been to encourage healthy living and lifestyles among all age categories and fitness levels through both competitive and noncompetitive events.
"It's a great opportunity for Families to come out to Fort Campbell and participate in a fitness event with the Soldiers and Families that are a part of their community," said 1st Lt. Evan Thomas, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
While focused on encouraging Soldier participation, the ECFT also had their sights set on four specific groups: Wounded Warriors; children 8 years and older; noncompetitive and beginning exercisers, in addition to the traditional gender and age group competitive participant divisions, according to MWR.
Saturday's 5K and 10K races will have multiple divisions available, including stroller, female, male and Warrior Transition Unit. The 2K Fun Run division is designed for children, but, is open to adults as well.
"The Culminator offers folks that maybe are just getting into the running or being active easy challenges to overcome," said Walker.
An additional division available Saturday, not offered at previous events, allows units to sign up with groups of 30.
"We introduced the unit category to build esprit de corps across Fort Campbell," said Thomas.
Online registration is available at www.fortcampbellmwr.com/ecft. Online registrants can pick up their race packets at Cole Park Commons today from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Registration is $15 for those who missed the early registration and still wanting to register for the event. The 2K Fun Run is free, but it requires registration in order to count toward a year-end ECFT medal. On-site registration will run from 7 until 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
The event will kick off with the 2K Fun Run, which begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K starting at 9 a.m. and the 10K at 9:15 a.m.
First-place medals will be presented to the top finishing WTU Soldier, top finishing stroller participant, and to the overall male and overall female in both the 10K and the 5K races.
First, second and third place medals will be presented to the top three finishers in each age division of the 10K and the 5K races.
"It's going to be an awesome event," said Walker. "Hopefully everyone will brave the weather and come out."
Fort Campbell MWR officials are pleased with the overall results of the first-year program and while Saturday's event concludes the 2013 program, it also serves as an indicator that the 2014 ECFT is but a few months away.
"The planning is well underway for the 2014 ECFT program," said Walker.
"The feedback that we've received has been incredible."
Previous ECFT events include the City Slicker Urban Orienteering Race, Rally on the Cumberland Race, Brutal 5K race, Love Your Heart Run, Go Commando, etc.
"Everyone that has participated in this year's program really enjoyed the variety of events, being part of the whole community and that there's a different event each month [in a different] community," said Walker. "We made sure we approached the events for all skill levels, not just competitive racers."
The awards ceremony will be held Nov. 22 at Cole Park Commons from 5 until 7 p.m. Program participants are encouraged to check the ECFT website and ensure their standings are correct. Participants that have competed in four or more events will be recognized and awarded medals based on their amount of participation.
"This was the first year and it's been a fantastic year," said Walker. "We invite everyone to come out to this final event."
Related Links:
101st Airborne Division on Facebook
Fort Campbell Courier on Facebook
101st Airborne Division on Twitter
Social Sharing