August 30, 2012
By Lance Cpl. Trevon S. Peracca, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Warriors gathered at Camp Pendleton’s Paige Fieldhouse to compete in the Tactical Athlete Challenge, Aug. 28.
The Challenge is a part of the Commanding General’s Cup and hosted 45 teams and more than 180 competitors. It included three different activities incorporating speed, agility and strength.
“It was a lot harder than I thought,” said Sgt. Nathan D. Mclain, an anti-tank missileman with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Bravo Company, Weapons Platoon. “I would recommend for all Marines to come out and participate.”
Individual times were combined, after each activity to determine the fastest overall times. Team awards were given to the 1st through 3rd place winners of the event.
“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, the fitness programs supervisor for Marine Corps Community Services-Semper Fit.
The “tactical” portion of the event included a 5-ton tire flip, fireman-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 final sprint to the finish line.
During the “challenge” segment, competitors began with two, 5-ton tire drags, proceeded by a sled push weighing more than 180 pounds for males and more than 90 pounds for females. Finally, the time stopped after team members completed the final exercise; 20 repetitions of a strongman log press.
“A lot of Marines want to come do these events, but it’s great when Marines are actually able to participate,” Artino said.
A complementary meal was provided during the event through the support Camp Pendleton’s Single Marine Program. For more information on the Tactical Athlete Challenge or future Commanding General’s Cup events visit, http://www.mccscp.com/athletics.