Hundreds compete at Laughlin's fourth annual Adventure Race

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sara Csurilla
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Hundreds of anxious participants crowded in front of Anderson Hall Saturday morning sporting their team colors and gripping their bike handles awaiting their chance to set off on a demanding 36-mile race here.

This marked the start of Laughlin's fourth annual Adventure Race April 26.

More than 60 teams participated in the race that began at Laughlin and ended at Southwind Marina near Lake Amistad in Del Rio Texas. The race started with 26-miles of biking through different terrain from dirt roads to open highway.

"It's not an easy course, so we challenged the teams to really pull together to complete the race," said Justin Kippenberger, a race director with the 47th Force Support Squadron.

Then at a designated check point, participants gave up their bikes to start the eight-mile run on paved and dirt roads and enormous hills.

To finish the 36-mile race, two members of each team had to paddle approximately two miles through Lake Amistad in an inflatable raft in order to meet up with the rest of their team and carry the raft across the finish line.

"It was exhilarating to cross the finish line after four hours of intense biking, running and rafting," said 2nd Lt. Thomas Raper, 09-06-UNO team member and first time AR participant.

Throughout the strenuous race, check points were tactically placed allowing the relay teams of eight to alternate teammates when needed.

Balloons sling shots and litter carries were also placed throughout the race as obstacles to test teams on their collaboration skills.

In addition to relay teams, there were also teams made up of only four members, called Xtreme teams. With no additional teammate to swap with, Xtreme teams demanded the four partners to put forth more physical effort.

"Being on an Xtreme team was pretty challenging," said 2nd Lt. Brandon Westling, Team Awesome member. "But we stuck together as a team in order to finish pretty good and we had a lot of fun doing it."

Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Owens, member of The Cowboys team from the 47th Operations Support Squadron, said she had a "blast" but she could hardly believe how many people were in the race.

With well over 500 participants from all over Texas and even one team all the way from Colorado, the need for organization and safety was paramount.

"We could not have put this event on without all of the people that helped out so much," said 2nd Lt. Josh Wolfram, a race director with the 47th Comptroller Squadron. "We needed volunteers to keep traffic at bay and the bikers and runners safe. Without sponsors, none of this would have been possible."

"We hope to see everyone back for next year's Adventure Race," said Kippenberger.


Laughlin's Adventure Race IV Winners

Relay Teams 

1st Place - Optimus Lobos                     3:16:47
2nd Place - 87th Red Bulls                     3:21:30
3rd Place - COMM Hopscotch Mafia      3:29:25

Xtreme Teams

1st Place - Flesh Peddlers                   3:27:59
2nd Place - Pantera X                            3:20:46
3rd Place - The Warbirds                      3:37:19