CV, fitness center revamp base-wide run program

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katrina Heikkinen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  It was 6:30 a.m. as hundreds of Airmen in Air Force physical training uniforms made their way to the Malmstrom Air Force Base flightline July 3 for the first of three base-wide fun runs. While some opted to run the 1.5-mile course, others tested their limits in the 5K course.

"We're here to restart the wing runs because I think that they are not only a lot of fun, but it's important to get the family together," said Col. Marné Deranger, 341st Missile Wing vice commander. "[It is a good way to] enjoy the camaraderie, kick off the holiday weekend, and just remind ourselves that physical fitness isn't just fun, it's a key component to us being able to do our jobs."

The initiative to bring Team Malmstrom together through fitness was spearheaded by Deranger and James Muscle, Malmstrom Fitness Center sports director.

"We wanted to breathe new life into the run [program] itself and try and create some positive energy," Muscle said.

"It's important to get out and push the distance a little further than the 1.5-mile run that a lot of people just do for their PT test," Deranger said. "Although I'm glad we could do this before the holiday, we also need to remember there are a lot of people who can't be with us right now because they're pulling alert, providing security and doing maintenance to support the mission."

The next two base-wide fun runs are scheduled for Aug. 23 and Sept. 20 at 7 a.m. on the Malmstrom Air Force Base flightline.