CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines put their speed, agility, and strength to the test during the Tactical Athlete Challenge here, Sept. 17 as part of the Commanding General’s Cup.
Team Pugulatraz placed first in the men’s division and Team Equal Opportunity placed first for the women’s.
“The hardest part for us was pushing through the heat,” said Cpl. Desiree Juarez, a member of Team Equal Opportunity and a warehouse clerk with 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group. “During last year’s event there was overcast which made it easier for us [to perform].”
The challenge was divided into three events – tactical, athlete, and challenge.
Times were recorded after each activity to determine the fastest overall time for each team. Awards were given to the 1st through 3rd place male and female team winners.
The tactical portion of the event included a 5-ton tire flip, firemen carry, squad sprint, and 400-meter log carry.
The athlete element of the event began with a sprint around flags and then transitioned into a low crawl under camouflage netting. Next, team members sprinted over hurdles and hay bales, shifting into another low crawl, and then concluded with a sprint to the finish line.
During the challenge segment, competitors began with 20 repetitions of a strongman log press then quickly proceeding to a weighted, stationary-rope pull. Then, the teams dragged two, 5-ton tires. Finally, the teams pushed a sled weighing more than 180 pounds for males and more than 90 pounds for females.
“This Tactical Athlete Challenge is something that gives the Marines a chance to come out, compete as a team and build that ‘esprit de corps’,” said Joe A. Artino, event coordinator and fitness programs supervisor for Marine Corps Community Services’ Semper Fit Division.
“Teamwork, moral support, and our team putting-out is why we came out on top,” said Lance Cpl. Roje Robinson, Team Pugulatraz member and a water support technician with 1st Supply Bn., 1st MLG.