Mistletoe 5K kicks off holiday fitness

By Nathan Pfau, Army Flier Staff WriterDecember 20, 2013

Mistletoe 5K kicks off holiday fitness
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (December 20, 2013) -- 'Tis the season for feasting and festive treats, but people on Fort Rucker lined up to make sure they didn't let the holiday feasts get in the way of their fitness goals.

More than 300 people participated in the Mistletoe 5K run and fun run in front of the Fortenberry-Colton Physical Fitness Center Dec. 14 as a way to kick off the holiday season and stay in shape at the same time, according to Lynn Avila, fitness programs coordinator.

"This (run) helps keep morale going and start off the holiday festivities with fitness," said Avila. "With the extra parties, celebrations, food and eating, this is a good way to counterbalance that and remember that even through the holidays we have to stay fit."

People were dressed in Santa hats and holiday sweaters to help get in the festive mood, and even the weather held out to make sure the run went off without a hitch. The forecast had shown early morning showers, but not a drop fell as the runners crossed the finish lines.

"We'd been very hopeful for the weather and it's held out for us and I'm so excited about that," said the fitness coordinator.

The winners of the run in separate categories are: Myles Osborne, male overall winner, with a time of 17:38; Jeanne Davis, female overall winner, with a time of 20:28; Benjamin Duncan, male master winner, with a time of 19:13; Sharon Whitcher, female master winner, with a time of 23:22; Richard Webb, male grandmaster winner, with a time of 21:34; and Nina Korges, female grandmaster winner, with a time of 26:06.

"It felt good to win the race," said Osborne. "There were a lot of hills to overcome, but it was a good race overall."

Osborne, who is a 16-year-old military Family member, said he runs for the fitness aspect, but also hopes to gain a scholarship through running.

"I like these events because it gets people out to do something and lets them just have fun," he added.

The run serves a greater purpose than just providing a platform for people to participate in physical fitness, said Louisa Spears, civilian from Enterprise.

"I think this is a great way to bring people together," she said. "I came out to support my friends, and it gives us a chance to get together and have fun doing something that we all love to do. When you have a group of friends that can share in something that you love to do, it just makes relationships that much stronger."

Related Links:

USAACE and Fort Rucker on Twitter

USAACE and Fort Rucker on Facebook

Fort Rucker, Ala.

U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence