‘Fit to Fight’? – Prove it! Published May 11, 2007 By Senior Airman Dani Pacheco 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. -- The 315th Airlift Wing held its first Commander's 5K Fun Run and First Sergeant's Push-up Challenge at 8 a.m. at the base gym May 6. Most could only describe the morning as dank and gray at best. However, Major Bill Walsh, 315th AW Public Affairs and television meteorologist said, "This is the perfect weather for running." Ninety-eight fellow members of the 315th AW echoed those sentiments. "The number of attendees was much higher than originally anticipated, but it was a blast having so many members of our 315th AW family present," said Major Mark Johnson, fun run director and member of the 317th Airlift Squadron. The morning began with the First Sergeant's Push-up Challenge. Both male and female members, representing their individual squadrons, took turns going head to head. Faces got red and arms grew tired as the number on the countdown clock grew smaller and the number of push-ups achieved grew higher. A bevy of undistinguishable voices reverberated throughout the gym cheering on friends and co-workers. The male and female winners in the unofficially named 'Holding down Charleston' competition were Staff Sgt. Sihponima Walker, 315th Maintenance Squadron, and 1st Lt. Christie Brown, 315th Logistics Readiness Flight. Each will receive a certificate for their accomplishment and a $50 in "Services Bucks". Following the individual awards, the first 315th AW Spirit Award silver cup was presented to the 315th Security Forces Squadron for achieving the most combined push-ups by their male and female representatives, Senior Airman Michael Meissner and Staff Sgt. Rebecca Ireland. As soon as the first winners of the day were announced to the sea of excited and smiling faces, another challenge was soon under way. The Commander's 5k Fun Run consisted of a marked course throughout base with the start and finish line at the base gym. The young and the older, the new, as well as, the seasoned members of the 315th AW huddled together in anticipation at the starting line. The bullhorn sounded and they were off! Legs and arms pumped as the stampede of feet powered past the gym and down the main boulevard of base. Minutes passed before all participants completely disappeared from view at the first turn of the course. In an amazing display of athleticism, within 15 minutes and 55 seconds of the start of the race, the first runner dashed across the finish line. Tech. Sgt. Mike Bunting, 315th MXS, placed first in the competition for the men. Coming in second place for the men with a time of 18 minutes was Capt. Rob Pearce, 317th Airlift Squadron, followed by Staff Sgt. Jason Salvo, 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, in third place with a time of 21 minutes and 21 seconds. With her second win of the day, the first place winner for the females was 1st Lt. Christie Brown, 315th LRF, crossing the finish line in 27 minutes. One second later, to place second for the females, was Master Sgt. Natalie Garrett, 315th Mission Support Group. Third place for the females went to Staff Sgt. Kristi Miller, 315th AW, with a time of 29 minutes and eight seconds. Following his completion of the race, Colonel Tim Wrighton, 315th AW Commander, stood at the finish line providing high fives and encouraging words to his troops as they finished the race. "It was a lot of fun. We had an amazing turn out and we hope to make this a new tradition here at Charleston Air Force Base," said Col. Wrighton. The next Commander's 5K Fun Run and First Sergeant's Push-up Challenge is scheduled for May 20 at 8 a.m. at the base gym.