MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI,Japan -- The Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 team swept the first two events of the day, but Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 made up the difference in the hike up Three Peaks to take the win at the 4th Annual Wilderness Triathlon Oct. 18 at Three Peaks in Otake.
Units from all over Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni participated in the friendly competition, which gave the Marines a chance to spend the day outdoors and test their skills against their fellow service members.
The events started at 11 a.m. with one member of six three-man teams kicking things off with a three and a half kilometer kayak race in a chilly river that ran along the road enroute to the next event. Once the athletes completed the course they had to climb up a rocky hill and run to their awaiting teammates who were gearing up for the five kilometer bike contest.
"The kayak race wasn't too bad, but getting out of that cold water and running up those rocky stairs to my teammate really wore me out," said Sgt. Kevin Shideler, team member of MALS-12.
The bike race took the athletes down windy roads and steep hills to be finished at the bottom of Three Peaks.
"I have been bicycling for a long time and this course was very tough," said Lance Cpl. Scott O'Leary, MALS-12 team member. "The triathlon only allows mountain bikes for this competition instead of racing bikes, so that added to the challenge."
The final event of the day was the treacherous hike up Three Peaks Mountain. This would be the event that would prove which team wanted the win the most and VMFA-22 proved it.
Coming in second place was a tough loss for the MALS-12 team, which had a significant lead, headed into the last event.
"We thought we had the win but VMFA-212 came back strong in the hike," said O'Leary.
"We knew we had to keep it close in the first two events so we could give our teammate a chance to win it in the hike," said Capt. Kevin O'Rourke, member of team VMFA-212. "When you have a guy that runs a 16 minute three mile run your in good shape."
For the entire day all the teams were competitive and wanted to win, but camaraderie and a good time were the essence of the day's festivities.
"I had a great time, and the competition was excellent," said O'Leary. "This was my first competition like this, and it will definitely not be my last."
Although the competitors were the main attraction Friday there would not have been a competition for them without the hard work of Semper Fit.
"We like to afford the Marines aboard this Station the opportunity to compete in sporting events they love," said Laura Kline, fitness coordinator.
According to Kline, the first and second place finishers of the competition received cash prizes of $100 and $75 to their unit?s party fund.
At the end of the triathlon competitors were treated to lunch, and the awards ceremony was held shortly after.
Due to its growing popularity in the last four years, Shideler said the competition needs to expand.
"We are brainstorming ideas together to change up the competition and allow more athletes to compete," said Kline. "As long as there are Marines who want to participate we will keep striving to improve the events."