MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A group of Camp Pendleton Marines recently proved themselves by placing and representing, in a 10K challenge that took place 6,500 ft. above sea level.
Three, three-man teams from Alpha Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton took first, second and third place at the sixth annual 2010 Bridgeport Mountain Warfare Training Challenge, May 22. The Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., is the premier training site for Marines preparing to serve in mountainous regions.
The race encompassed a 10K off-road run, with the first four kilometers up a steep climb known as “Heart-Attack Hill,” followed by events along the way, such as a tire course, a five-foot wall climb, and low crawl through a tunnel.
The group took the challenge serious, and was sure to properly prepare.
“I gave the Marines each a month notice so they could start training,” said Gunnery Sgt. Dale D. Dune, company gunnery sergeant, Alpha Company, H&S BN, MCB Camp Pendleton and team leader. “We decided to go with nine Marines to make three teams.”
The Marines chosen to represent MCB Camp Pendleton were all previous unit “Gung-Ho” competition winners. Gung-ho events are held by the unit to promote esprit de corps, and Marine Corps values.
The Marines trained together as much as possible to build camaraderie and unit cohesion, said Chance. To simulate the thinner air at high altitudes the Marines often trained while wearing gas masks.
The group then went to Bridgeport one week before the challenge to get acclimated to the mountain environment.
“Hardcore, motivational, very challenging, you name it,” said Dune in reference to the challenge. “We started our pre-race week at Bridgeport with a 5 mile run. The second day we ran the actual course, then four miles the day after. The last two days we focused on hydrating and stretching,” he said.
The Marines hard work paid off, allowing them to beat out over 40 teams.
“I really felt privileged to go up and represent the battalion,” said Cpl. Joseph D. Roman, personnel clerk, Alpha Company, and member of the first place team. “Once we got up there we knew we had heavy competition. We weren’t about to back down.”