McALESTER, Okla. -- Fifty-seven runners and walkers -- some of whom work on the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant -- and even a few riding in strollers, turned out on a brisk fall morning to participate in the 5K Family Fun Run/Walk on the military installation here, Oct. 17.
Under sunny skies and 57-degree temperature at race time, the Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation staff once again welcomed the community for a USA Track and Field-sanctioned run, as well as their annual Non-Appropriated Funds sale.
Participants ranging from 3 to 59 years old traversed a five-kilometer, or three-mile, course with a smooth, gentle rolling slope for newcomers wanting more of a challenge than a walk around a flat track. Participants came from as far away as Oklahoma City.
While many were there for camaraderie, the scenery or even a family outing, some felt an adrenalin rush and their competitive spirit ruled.
Vincente Detels, 35, of McAlester, left no doubt from the starting gunshot that he was there to push himself. He cruised to an easy lead at the turnaround and finished first overall in 19 minutes and 45 seconds -- a minute and a half ahead of his nearest competitor, James Fiewallen, 53, from Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Coalgate, Oklahoma, resident Bless Roberts, 17, cruised to the third best time overall in 22 minutes and 29 seconds, which earned her the gold medal in the female 14-19 year-old category.
Jesse Wyatt, Jr., 13, of McAlester, finished fourth overall in 23 minutes and 17 seconds, and first in the male category to age 13. The energetic teen finished just seconds ahead of MCAAP commander, Col. Sean Herron, who earned first place in the male 40-49 year-old category.
The top three finishers in each age category received medals and every participant left with a goody bag that included a t-shirt.
The NAF sale began that began at 7 a.m. might have run its course even quicker. With buyers lined up and eagerly waiting to stake claim to appliances, childcare items, Christmas decorations and campers, most items were sold within one hour.
"The weather was exceptional and everybody had a good time," said Robby VanVekoven, MCAAP sports and fitness director, and event organizer. "It was a good way to spend a Saturday in southeastern Oklahoma."
The event was the first FMWR was permitted to host since the 5th Annual Armed Forces Day Run on April 20, 2013. Force protection requirements made it difficult to open the post to the community until a solution was found to maintain appropriate security at the installation.
"We've not been able to hold these events the past couple of years," Herron said, "but now that we've found an acceptable way to maintain security, I intend for us to invite the people of McAlester and the surrounding communities to interact with us here on a more regular basis."
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McAlester Army Ammunition Plant is the Department of Defense's premier bomb- and warhead-loading facility. It is one of 14 installations of the Joint Munitions Command and one of 23 organic industrial bases under the U.S. Army Materiel Command, which include arsenals, depots and ammunition plants. MCAAP is vital to ammunition stockpile management and delivery to the Joint Warfighter for training and combat operations.
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