FORT SILL, Okla.-- It's not unusual to see deer or elk running through the Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area on Fort Sill, however, Jan. 22 things were different.
There were penguins, bananas, pirates, Sesame Street and Dr. Seuss characters lending new meaning to 'where the wild things are' that were running amok through LETRA. And no attire was taboo, as runners donned hula skirts, long underwear, NFL fan gear, and even a nun's habit.
They were all part of more than 200 athletes who took on the challenge of Fort Sill's premier Polar Bear 5K run and plunge on a 20-degree morning.
The 8:30 a.m. race took competitors 3.1 miles on hilly Deer Creek Canyon Road. Fifty minutes later, about half of the runners kicked off their shoes and other clothing and became swimmers as they charged into the lake, which had a thin film of ice along its shore.
"It was freezing cold," said family member Kate Sullivan, referring to the plunge. "It knocked the wind out of me."
The plunge attracted numerous spectators. One observer noted, "You'd think there were piranhas in the lake by the way people were screaming and running out of the water."
Fort Sill's Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation hosted the event.
"We wanted to have a fun fitness event for all families on and off post and also to showcase the great grounds of LETRA," said Cara Bell, FMWR Sports and Fitness Management trainee.
The top three runners in each age category were recognized and awards were given for the best costumes at the end of the event. Participants also had the opportunity to sign up for the Presidential Challenge fitness program during the event, Bell said.
The top finisher was Charles Billi, with a time of 16:39. "I feel great," said Billi, a first lieutenant with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery, referring to his win. "It's cold out, but it was nice to come out and do the run."
Meghan Curran was the top women's finisher with a time of 18:20; she also did the lake dip. "If you're here you might as well do the plunge, too," said Curran, who is a first lieutenant in A/2-18th.
The event attracted participants from throughout Southwest Oklahoma including Robin Wenk of Altus, and two of her friends. "We came dressed as the 'Three Amigos' since there are three of us," said Wenk, a second-grade teacher at Sunset Elementary School.
Three-sixths of the characters from "Village People" also took part in the activities. Joel Ater, Jeremy Tennent and Joshua Lawrence were respectively dressed as the cop, construction worker and cowboy. "This is always a fun event for morale to come out and support the families and Soldiers," said Ater, who along with Tennent and Lawrence are students in the Air Defense Artillery Captains' Career Course here.
Lawrence leisurely galloped and fired his pistols as he crossed the finish line.
It was the first 5K run for Lawton resident Reginald Seaton, who said he had really has not run much since he left the Army in 2007. "It was a fun event with a nice theme and a chance to get some exercise," said Seaton, who works as an administrator for the city of Lawton.
Recreational runner Chrysa Gumbs said participating in the polar bear run and plunge got her out of her comfort zone.
"I decided to come out today because this is the first plunge I've ever done," said the executive officer of HHB, 214th Fires Brigade, "and I know I should do something to challenge myself."
Top two men's and women's finishers
Ages 19 and under:
Eileen Sullivan 21:23 (w)
Taylor Harrill 24:06 (w)
Matthew Leon 24:10 (m)
Tommy Loving 25:16 (m)
Ages 20-29:
Charles Billi 16:39 (m)
Orr Kommissar 17:19 (m)
Meghan Curran 18:20 (w)
Erin Wingfield 23:26 (w)
Ages 30-39:
Christopher Marshall 19:09 (m)
Nick Wingfield 19:11 (m)
Carrie Hoblet 19:52 (w)
Lory Ioppolo 20:01 (w)
Ages 40 and over:
Bryan Pinkney 20:53 (m)
Donnie Harris 20:58 (m)
Kristen Pfeiffer 22:46 (w)
Natalie Brand 24:21 (w)
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