MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Servicemembers competed in this year’s second Commanders Cup event, the Mystery Endurance Challenge, at the IronWorks Gym sports court here Feb. 24 to build unit cohesion across the station and provide an intense workout for all who participated.
The challenge forced competitors to push their bodies to the limit in a continual flow of exercises.
“It was good to see the Marines competing against each other,” said Alma Dickinson, Marine Corps Community Services Iwakuni health promotions director. “It’s events like this that help bring the units together and provide good fitness.”
Of the teams that competed, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 came out on top with 1300 points collected. Following behind them was operations with 1174 points, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron with 1165 points and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 with 1160 points.
“It was tough pushing through all the events, but it was definitely worth the reward,” said Gunnery Sgt. Chris D. Walters, MWS-171 air frame staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge.
“It was a great workout and even brought the units closer together,” said Walters. “This was a great way to not only build camaraderie with my own unit, but every Marine who participated here today.”
There were seven stations set up, each with its own workout and a proctor standing by to count the number of repetitions each athlete accomplished.
Competitors were given two minutes per station to complete as many reps as they could, only receiving a minute break in between each new exercise.
“By the time the Marines got to my station, they were covered in sweat and worn out,” said Mai Tajima, MCCS Iwakuni SemperFit athletics recreation specialist. “The workouts we had set up for them today were designed to work out every part of their body.”
The first and second place teams were awarded a source of money for shop functions and the top three teams received points towards their unit’s overall score in the Commander’s Cup.
Events for the Commander’s Cup are scheduled every month until the final event, the Gladiator’s Challenge, in September.