Base Auckland Getting Amongst It!
By Auckland Physical Training Staff
Base Auckland personnel got stuck into the events Auckland Physical Education and Recreational Training (AK PE&RT) ran over the first three months of 2008. With the sun shining and everyone keen to get into their new year’s resolutions of losing weight and getting fit for the year ahead the roads, pool, and fitness centre were hammered.
Race NZ
Winners CMF, Pagey at the front giving it everything he had.WN 08-0035-16-tn.jpg.
The year kicked off on 1 January with Race NZ. This great concept, developed by the one and only Warren Mant, has seen over 100 Base Auckland personnel running, cycling, and swimming down the country to Bluff (with a few still seeming to be stuck somewhere near the Cape…). So far we have had one two person team finish in an awesome 47 day effort. Congratulations to Hemi Poi Poi and Flea Orchard. Keep clocking up those kms team. We still have about 9 months for you to make it to Bluff!
Take the strain! PULL!
On 12 March fourteen teams competed in the annual Tug o’ War competition. No. 5 Squadron Maintenance had been winners three years running but 2008 was not their year with them being knocked out in their first two matches. Coming into the competition No.6 Squadron and No.40 Squadron looked like strong candidates to make the finals but failed to bring their Tug o’ War A games on the day. This year’s final was between CMF and AV Squadron. The final match was extended from 15 to 30 seconds. They battled it out showing the pain and determination on their faces (Pagey definitely not holding anything back). With veins popping out of their skulls the match was over and CMF was declared victor. But, since AV Squadron had gone through to the final unbeaten they still had life up their sleeves. So, they went toe-to-toe again for another gruelling 30 seconds. On the final whistle CMF pulled through again in their fourth back-to-back match of the day to become 2008 Tug o’ War Champions.
Round The Bays Fun Run
6 SQN, with team captain Fitzgibbon at the front. WN 08-0035-07-tn.jpg.
On 16 March 30 Base Auckland personnel woke nice and early (well all of us except for one who had to be picked up on Hobby Rd – not mentioning any names, Clay!) to join the 70,000 people running in Auckland City’s 8.4 km Round the Bays Fun Run. The Base Auckland crew got to the start line only 20 metres back from the start. The Prime Minister started the race and gave the Air Force a special mention as they ran past looking fit and healthy in their Air Force singlets and T-shirts. With thousands of people running it was a chance for young Mark Chadwick to practice his foot work as he dodged his way through the crowed streets. As the run progressed and the bodies started to heat up a refreshing run under the sprinklers and a quick drink saw everyone finishing the run. From the finish it was a quick walk up to Madills Farm reserve (apart from one who must have been sleeping on the bus ride in and missed Pricey explain where our marquee was) to enjoy a cold drink and a BBQ.
Mud Mud Mud
The Comms boys going for it. WN 08-0035-15-tn.jpg.
It was a short week and there were to be no Lunch Time Circuits on Thursday. The tide was right so the posters went up for the first Base Auckland mud run of 2008. On Wednesday 19 March 51 personnel run, walk, crawled through the mud down at Hobby wharf. As well as it being the first mud run of the year it was the last event that F/S Jase Trevarton would be involved in before he heads off to boss around some cadets down in Christchurch. With all the PTIs on Base there to see Jase off there was no way he was coming up the wharf clean. When everyone lined up and was ready to go Chris ‘the mud running guru’ Mackie gave us our final instructions then it was down in the front support position for a few push-ups, and then off. It started with a hiss and a roar with many straight into it. To their surprise the mud only got thicker and deeper and the Hobby wharf seemed to be getting further and further away. However, some didn’t start too well. Our very own PT assistant Gus ‘Romeo’ George found the mud a little bit difficult and had to crawl the first 400 metres. Once at the Hobby wharf the fire section provided a shower to get all that mud off before heading back to Base.
The Wrap
AK PE&RT would like to thank all Base sections that have assisted us so far this year. Without your help we would not be able to successfully run such events. And to all the Base Auckland personnel: keep on getting involved in all Base events and inter-section sports on offer. You have all the facilities and help you need to keep you fit and healthy.