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Adventure Race VIII comes to a close

  • Published
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  More than 430 people that made up about 70 different teams took part in Laughlin's Eighth Annual Adventure Race April 21.

The race had three separate phases beginning at Laughlin's Weather Hangar, departing base from the west gate and followed Loop 79 to Laughlin's Southwind Marina on Lake Amistad to the finish line.

To complete the race, competitors conquered a 23.3 mile bike ride, 5.3 mile run and 1,200 meter three-person rafting race. Throughout the course, mystery events were positioned and included a tunnel crawl, railroad tie carry, a tire flip, a paintball target shoot and an eight-foot-wall.

"This event is great because it brings both the local community and Team XL together," said Maj. Molly Chester, Laughlin Adventure Race VIII director. "We had great support from the local community, as well as substantial participation. I think it was great for us to be able to give the local community the opportunity to come on base, see our aircraft and some of what we do by starting on the flight line."

Competitors chose between two different race divisions to participate in: relay or extreme. The relay consisted of five-to-eight team members while extreme consisted of four member teams. Relay team members swapped out with each other during the race, while extreme team members had to complete the entire course. This year's event had 44 relay teams and 24 extreme teams.

"It was a lot of fun, the cycling wasn't too bad for me but the running really was tough," said Elden Brown, a financial planner, and member of the winning team. "It was really tough going on with the run after going up the hill. I had my teammates talking me through it and keeping me going."

Even though the event is designed to be difficult and challenge each participant to the fullest, it ultimately brings people together from different backgrounds.

"It's a challenging but fun way to build camaraderie amongst you and your peers," Chester said. "Also, training for this event will prepare you mentally and physically to take on daily challenges."

While teams from Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico came together to make the event successful, nothing would have been possible without the help of the local community and volunteers throughout the event.

"The event went great, in large part due to the efforts of over 100 volunteers from base, county and the city of Del Rio who all were supportive in our efforts," Chester said. "I would just like to send a big thank you to all of our sponsors, on base organizations, volunteers and especially my planning committee. We couldn't have pulled this off without their dedication and superior efforts."

Race results:

Extreme

1st place -- What do a personal trainer, fighter pilot, financial planner and student pilot have in common, 85th Flying Training Squadron

2nd place -- The Narco Squad, Altus Air Force Base

3rd place -- Tryathletes, Civilian team

Relay

1st place -- Flying Training Squadron Free Zone, 86 FTS

2nd place -- Bomberos, Del Rio Fire Department

3rd place -- Devil Cats, Sheppard AFB