Run all night: 11th annual KMC Viking Challenge

by Airman 1st Class D. Blake Browning
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


Master Sgt. Michael Ott, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Detachment 4 Fire Emergency Services program manager, and his son, Aaron, run a lap during the 11th annual Kaiserslautern Military Community Viking Challenge July 28 on Vogelweh. Approximately 600 participants came to walk, run and camp during the 24-hour run and walk-a-thon. — Photo by Airman 1st Class Milton Hamilton Jr.

The Kaiserslautern Military Community gave charitable organizations a run for their money at the 11th annual KMC Viking Challenge July 28 on Vogelweh.

Hosted by the KMC 5/6 organization, the KMC Viking Challenge is an annual 24-hour run and walk-a-thon aimed at raising money for charitable organizations.

The 2017 KMC Viking Challenge was host to approximately 600 participants as they walked, ran and camped, raising money for organizations such as the Landstuhl Fisher House.

Since its beginning, the KMC Viking Challenge has raised more than $336,000 for the Landstuhl Fisher House alone.

“Other than the Landstuhl Fisher House, we donate to a variety of different organizations like the Kinder Graves, the United Service Organization and the Wounded Warrior Project,” said Tech. Sgt. Daren Lazo, 435th Construction and Training Squadron NCO in charge of heating, ventilation and air conditioning contingency training.

All proceeds raised from the 2017 KMC Viking Challenge go back directly to the KMC in one way or another.

Throughout the course of the event, 43 teams competed against each other, completing over 24,179 laps for a composite distance of about 6,045 miles.

“This year’s Viking Challenge was a success,” said Tech Sgt. Grecille Newton, 691st Cyberspace Operations Squadron NCO in charge of network monitoring management. “Anytime we have participation for fundraisers, add in decent weather, space for all of the teams, door prizes and 13 food-serving vendors provided by private organizations within the KMC, it is a success.”

 


The “Stroller Warriors,” a group of Ramstein spouses, pose for a photo in front of their tents during the 11th annual Kaiserslautern Military Community Viking Challenge July 28 on Vogelweh. — Photo by Airman 1st Class D. Blake Browning

The “Stroller Warriors,” a group of Ramstein spouses, pose for a photo in front of their tents during the 11th annual Kaiserslautern Military Community Viking Challenge July 28 on Vogelweh. Over the past 11 years, the KMC Viking Challenge has donated more than $330,000 to the Landstuhl Fisher House. Photo by Airman 1st Class D. Blake Browning