TEC proves fit-to-fight with Fittest Company Challenge win

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mavi Smith
  • The I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --  Servicemembers from The I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center accepted a first place award for the Fittest Company Challenge from the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership during a ceremony held in Market Square in downtown Knoxville, May 13.

The competition, held March 28 during the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, was a friendly contest among area businesses designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and in turn create healthy employees.

The 28 Training and Education Center staff members who ran in the event were among 1,200 employees in the local area who ran a total of 10,751 miles. Competing in the small company category, which included companies of less than 100 employees, each staff member finished either the half-marathon, the 5K, or the 4-person relay race to accumulate 223.35 points for a first place win.

In addition to the runners, other staff members, spouses and students from Airman Leadership School Class 10-2 and Noncommissioned Officer Academy Class 10-4 supported the event by manning water stations, directing traffic and preparing Neyland Stadium in Knoxville for the finish line and post marathon party.

"This was a great opportunity for community relationship building," said Master Sgt. Paul Rayman, the superintendent of instructional systems analysis for enlisted professional military education and the event coordinator. "They support us in so many different ways...and it was great to be able to give back and support them."

Rayman said the event was also an opportunity to get people motivated and prepared for the new Air Force fitness program test.

"Fit-to-Fight is all about a mentality and committment," he said, "This was a good way for us to get people motivated to get out there and do something, work towards a goal, and get ready for the new requirements."

Training and Education Center staff members who ran in the Fittest Company Challenge during the Knoxville marathon were:

Half-Marathon (13.2 miles): Col. Bradley McRee; Master Sgt. Kevin Przewroki; Master Sgt. Paul Rayman; Tech. Sgt. Chris Berry; Tech. Sgt. Darrell Crowe; Tech. Sgt. Paul Evans; Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Glawe; Tech. Sgt. Kurt Hayes; Tech. Sgt. Don Pierson; and Gerry Barnes

5K (3.1 miles): Col. Richard Howard; Chief Master Sgt. Chris Coyne; Chief Master Sgt. Deborah Davidson; Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Assenmacher; Senior Master Sgt. Terry Krips; Master Sgt. Eric Bollman; Master Sgt. Glen Weaver; Tech. Sgt. Danielle Holloway; Tech. Sgt. Charles Hoover; Tech. Sgt. Marcie Mascaro; Tech. Sgt. Robert Perry; Tech. Sgt. Cable Rose; Tech. Sgt. Bill Smith; and Staff Sgt Trent Anderson.

4-Person Relay: Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Kumes; Master Sgt. Keith Cavanaugh; Tech. Sgt. Mona Johnson; and Tech. Sgt. Jeela Matthews.