MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Station and local residents enjoyed a cool, evening competition May 25 in honor of Energy Awareness Week.
Youth ages 15 and under ran 2.5 kilometer along the sea wall, followed by a five-km adult race.
"Besides advertising Energy Awareness Week, this is a way to get people out of their houses so they aren't burning electricity," said Chief Petty Officer Richard Robinson, Facilities energy conservation manager.
Instead, the runners burned calories as they competed for overall and age-division trophies.
Michael Boland, 12, won first place overall in the youth run, scorching the asphalt in just under 11 minutes.
Jacklynn Manning, 11, took the overall youth female prize in 16 minutes.
The competitors were reminded of the importance of conserving energy, even as they spent their own.
"I enjoyed just getting to run, getting out of the house and saving energy," said Mercedes Martinez, 11.
Martinez came home with a 2nd place trophy overall for the females in the youth run.
"My dad challenged me," said Mia Lasyone, 10. "He said, 'Come on, you'll have fun and you'll come home to mom with a trophy!'"
Lasyone wasn't disappointed, coming home to mom with a third place trophy for the female 10-12 year-old age division.
The five-km race also benefited from some healthy competition, but having fun was the name of the game.
"I always try to come to these races," said Takanari Kanida, an Iwakuni resident. "I'm 40, but I am 20 in my heart. These races give me a good strong heart and improve my stamina."
Another opportunity for competition in the spirit of energy conservation came Saturday morning. A five-km youth bicycle race was held, followed by the adult competition, cycling four laps around the Station.
Robinson said good health isn't promoted by wasting energy sitting in a house.
"People should know they don't have to sit around and watch television all day long. There's more than just the Gameboy or Playstation."
Robinson said the Station's energy bill goes from $400,000 to nearly $1 million during the summer months due to air conditioning.
"It's not a bad thing," Robinson said, "But if you leave your windows and doors open all the time, that's a problem. The more money we spend on the electric bill, the less money is being put into projects that improve that quality of life on the Station."