KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler Air Force Base hosted the sixth annual Dragon Challenge at the Triangle Track as the kickoff event for this year’s Combined Federal Campaign Oct. 24.
Approximately 140 Airmen, civilians, retirees, Biloxi Junior ROTC and other service members participated in the 12-hour relay in two categories – team runners, comprised of 8-12 man teams and solo runners, to complete as many laps as possible on a .7 mile track.
Runners were sponsored by other members of the base based on each lap completed to raise money for the CFC, said Tech. Sgt. Alexander Gould, lead event coordinator.
“Strategies vary per team; one team has a runner doing a single lap in order to get the fastest lap times possible. Some of our teams are doing 100 or more laps,” he said.
More than 60 volunteers from around base helped support the event serving food, playing music and recording lap times and laps completed.
“For the most part, you don’t really depend on any wingmen outside of your coworkers,” said Gould. “It’s really fantastic to get people from other organizations that I’ve never met to come support this event with barely even asking. It’s been a good time for a great cause.”
An awards ceremony was held at the end of the day to highlight runners’ distances and money raised.
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Team competition: 336th Training Squadron completed 152 laps equating to 106.6 miles.
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Most pledges: 81st Communications Squadron raised $659.
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Individual female category: Staff Sgt. Betty Granville, 334th TRS Aviation Resource Management instructor, ran 11.2 miles.
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Individual male category: Lt. Col. George Harre, 81st Medical Support Squadron veterinarian, ran 56 miles.
Overall, Team Keesler raised $3,082 for the CFC.
“I truly appreciate everyone's interest and involvement in the overall CFC events,” said Col. Michele Edmondson, 81st Training Wing commander. “I am honored to be a part of the charitable spirit and energy from Keesler AFB and our community partners that are here today for these kickoff events.”
Keesler’s CFC will run from Oct. 24 – Nov. 20. For more information about donating to the CFC, contact your unit representative or go to www.greatermscfc.org.