FORT SILL, Okla. (April 30, 2015) -- The instructions were simple: run, keep calm and bounce. That's what about 2,300 people did at the Insane Inflatable 5K run April 25, at Fort Sill.
Participants climbed, slid, dodged, maneuvered, bounced and ran through 11 inflatable rubber obstacles on a 3.1-mile course at Landing Strip 15 -- a flat training area on West Range.
"It was a lot of fun, but it went by really fast even though we walked the whole time," said Savannah Walker, 16, of Hobart, who did the run with her stepmother, Samantha. "My favorite (inflatable) was the one with the wrecking balls where you shove them into other people."
Fort Sill Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation partnered with Town Square Media to host the event, said Brenda Spencer-Ragland, FMWR director.
"Landing Strip 15 is one area that we used to use for concerts. Town Square looked at it and said it was perfect because it gave them the acreage for the course," she said.
Event planner Chris Knight, Lawton/Wichita Falls Town Square Media president, said he wanted to provide a fun venue that would be popular with the the military and the public.
"What it's all about is having fun," he said. "I think everybody is having a great time."
The first wave of about 75 runners began at 9 a.m. and waves continued in 15 minute intervals through the early afternoon.
Alicia and Norberto Rodriguez, a married Fort Sill couple, participated in the Insane Inflatable run.
"It was the first time seeing something like this, so we were intrigued," said Norberto, a major who is the 214th Fires Brigade surgeon.
Alicia added, "We have young children so it was nice to see what it's like to be on a bouncy. We had a great time."
Everyone who participated in the untimed fun run received a medal, T-shirt, water bottle, energy bar and banana, Knight said.
Numerous teams competed, including the "Sheppard Seabees" a group of Sailors and family members from Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
"I just got some guys together to see if they wanted to do a little fun run," said Navy Chief Petty Officer Brian Harrison, an "A" School (like AIT) instructor.
A special play area was set up for tikes too small to do the run. An inflatable moon bounce, hoops and a football throw kept them busy.
The 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade was the sponsoring unit and provided about 160 volunteer Soldiers to help run the event, said Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Johnson, an ADA noncommissioned officer in charge.
"We're assisting with the set-up of the obstacles, booth and tables; running the obstacles; and the parking and trash details," he said.
The Air Force used the event to enlist about 10 young people into its delayed entry program, as well as to re-enlist a few Airman, said Air Force Staff Sgt. Chris Gee, Lawton Central Mall Air Force recruiter.
Chick-fil-A of Central Mall was one of the numerous sponsors on site with a booth run by Jennifer Kirby, whose husband, Chuck is the store's owner/operator.
"We love being involved with our military community, and feel it is a privilege to serve the Soldiers and Marines that are stationed here," she said.
Other sponsors, vendors and representatives on site included: Fort Sill Federal Credit Union, Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Adventure Travel, BOSS, Army Recruiting, Red River Chevrolet, Pizza Hut, Jersey Mike's Subs, Verizon communications, MetroPCS communications, K-LAW radio, Z-94 radio, My 107 radio, Platt College, AT Financial Services and Game King. Sponsorship does imply federal endorsement.
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