Photo By Sgt. William Battle | Shannon Wood is the first to cross the finish line of the Jennie Stuart Medical Center...... read more read more
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HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. - In Hopkinsville, Saturday, participants gathered in the chilly morning air with warm spirits to compete in the Jennie Stuart Medical Center 5K Run and Little River Bicycle Tour, which took them on a scenic ride through the Western Kentucky countryside. These events were the latest in the Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour.
The Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour is a series of events running from February through November that provides Fort Campbell and its surrounding communities with fun for all ages and abilities while supporting healthy and active lifestyles. Not only are these events an opportunity to engage in physical activities, they promote a strengthened bond between Fort Campbell and the surrounding communities.
Soldiers and families, as well as members of the community, gathered at the starting line on the corner of Bethel and Ninth streets in the morning drizzle to stretch and socialize in anticipation of the race. Groups of friends stood together in similar outfits having pre-race laughs while parents participating with their children did final checks to make sure that shoes were tied, while others prepared their music players, creating personal soundtracks for their run.
Brian Ages, a clerk at Fort Campbell High School, explained that this race was part of a progression of a weight loss plan he started nine months ago. Starting by walking 20 minutes a day, he has participated in four ECFT events to continue his journey into healthier living. He explained the health benefits and changes in his own life that have resulted from adopting a proper diet and getting plenty of exercise. “I feel better and have a lot more energy,” he said.
Sponsored by Jennie Stuart Medical Center’s Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, the 5K run celebrated its second year as part of the ECFT in conjunction with Little River Days. Todd Hancock, director of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at JSMC, was on hand to supervise and coordinate the event. “A healthy lifestyle is a lifestyle that you need from a young age through adulthood to your older years,” he said.
Shannon Wood of Hopkinsville took first place in the 5K overall by finishing the course in just over 20 minutes.
The Little River Bicycle Tour, sponsored by the Little River Cycling Club, offered three scenic courses for participants to choose from. Riders of all ability groups and ages were given the opportunity to choose from 20-, 30- and 60-mile courses through the rolling hills and lush landscapes of western Kentucky. Instead of being a competition, this event encouraged participants to take the time to socialize and enjoy the outdoors.
Retired 1st Sgt. Bob Hilgartner took on the 30-mile course in honor of his niece, Erica Brannock, who was injured in the blast at the Boston Marathon bombing last year. Sporting a bright yellow shirt with a dragonfly logo and the words “Team Brannock” on the front, he was one of the first riders to return as the sun began to shine through the clouds. When asked about his passion for cycling, Hilgartner said, “I love it! It’s a good way of keeping in shape.”
With more than 140 pre-registered participants before the tour, the event is seeing continued growth in the number of participants showing up each year. President of the Little River Cycling Club, Jason Whitman, speaks highly of the camaraderie of bicyclists in the area. “We have a lot of people that come to our events during the week and a lot of our members are from Fort Campbell,” he said.
The next event in the Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour will be the Warrior Challenge Obstacle Course June 21 at Fort Campbell.
Info Box
For more information on events of the Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour, visit www.fortcampbellmwr.com/ECFT
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2014 11:00 |
| Story ID: | 150911 |
| Location: | HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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