Buckner Fitness Center hosts annual Dirty Shoe Run

by Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
JBER Public Affairs

4/2/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Military members and their families participated in the Dirty Shoe Run on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 1.

The Dirty Shoe Run is a 5K race during the transition from winter to spring when the ice and snow begin to melt. More than 25 military members and their families participated in this year's run.

"This is my first year in charge of the Dirty Shoe Run," said Riley Kelleher, 673d Force Support Squadron sport specialist. "Our focus is to get military members and their families as a community to participate in a physical activity together," he said. "It's a great opportunity to get together with others and enjoy being active outdoor in Alaska."

Although this event was a "Dirty Shoe Run", participants ran on frozen mud and dirt.

"This is my first Dirty Shoe Run and it was really awesome," said Sgt. 1st Class William Dhondt, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, target noncommissioned officer. "It's still too cold out here to get dirty, but I can say that the ice we were running on was dirty," Dhondt said. "I slipped on the ice about every six seconds, but it was a good time."

The first participant to cross the finish line of the recreational race was Alex Flores, 673d Force Support Squadron lifeguard.

All running events hosted by the fitness centers on JBER are open to all service members, Department of Defense civilians and their families.

"I recommend anyone just come out and give it a try at least once while they are here," Kelleher said.

For more information about future events like the Dirty Shoe Run, contact the JBER Fitness Center, 552-5353, or the Buckner Fitness Center, 384-1308.