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Sparkle and Shine

A team participating in Grissom's annual Easter Egg run approach the end of the race outside the fitness center at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., April 12, 2017. Runners were placed in teams and were required to complete random challenges at various stations where they would receive the challenge from a plastic egg.

Egg Run

Participants in the Easter Egg Run 5k pose for a group photo outside the fitness center at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana, April 12, 2017. Runners were placed in teams of four and were required to complete random challenges at various stations where they would receive the challenge from a plastic egg.

Tire Flip

Jason Williford, 434th Air Refueling Wing chief recruiter, flips a tire as part of a challenge in Grissom's annual Easter Egg run outside the fitness center at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., April 12, 2017. Runners were placed in teams and were required to complete random challenges at various stations where they would receive the challenge from a plastic egg.

Easter Egg fun run unites Grissom

Published April 14, 2017
By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Mota
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --

There was a lot of hippity-hoppity going on here April 12, and it was all in the name of fun and fitness.

More than 30 people ran the ‘bunny trail’ at Grissom for the fifth annual Easter Egg 5K run.

Participants paired up in teams and began the run by selecting an egg at the stations along the route. Inside the eggs were tasks that had to be performed prior to, or until the next station.

"Throwing in obstacles with the different eggs really made the event competitive and fun, because a big part of winning the race depended on which egg you chose,” said Justin Simpkins, 434^th Air Refueling Wing reserve personnel appropriation analysist, whose six-man team won the race. “We really thought the Marines were going to pass us early on, but instead they were detoured leaving us with the advantage.”

That detour was a side-trip to the base exchange where they had to ‘high-five’ customers and staff inside.

Throughout the event participants were greeted and cheered on by personnel around the base who came out to show their support and share the fun the event created.

“There was a lot of camaraderie especially at the beginning of the run,” said Marty Foye, 434^th
ARW financial services officer. “We had people from all over the base show up.”

During the run a member of the leading team carried the American flag.

“Carrying the flag out front and showcasing the symbol of our nation and the sacrifice we all make here brought a great deal of pride,” said Zach Chapin, 434^th ARW occupational safety technician.

Echoing those thoughts, Foye stated that he enjoyed seeing the flag in the event.

“The flag made the run really nice,” explained Foye. “It added incentive to the race, but the best part for me was bring everyone together.

“It’s really about the partnering and building relations with everyone,” he added.

The next such fitness event scheduled is a Memorial Day 8k run May 24 at 12:00. People can sign up for the event by contacting the fitness center at 688-2000.

Grissom is the KC-135 unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer