When the Going Gets Tough

Ohakea’s annual Tough Guy/Gal Challenge was held on Wednesday 21 May 2008. In previous years the event was held at Tangimoana Beach, however this year PE & RT took the Tough Guy/Gal Challenge to a whole new level.

Thanks to W/O Robbo Robertson offering the use of his farm land in Halcombe, the PTI’s were able to set up the perfect course that put Ohakea personnel to the test as they ran across undulated terrain, conquered steep hills, negotiated forest ruins, clawed their way through muddy swamps and swam through some very large puddles throughout the 3km circuit.

Base personnel could either enter as individuals or in a team of 3. Individuals had to complete 3 laps of the 3km circuit. It ended up being a tight battle between the 3 front runners CPL Michael Crisford, LAC Rhys Dibnah and SGT Dave Walters. The lead changed a few times throughout the event but it was CPL Michael Crisford who managed to creep ahead in the last lap for the glory of being the 2008 Tough Guy Champion.

Team members completed 1 lap each in a relay style fashion, and then a final lap to finish altogether as a team. A large turn out of 20 teams entered in the challenge, creating some good Inter-section competition for top points and the prestigious Tough Guy/Gal team trophy.

Needless to say there were a few shocked faces by some of the 2nd and 3rd leg runners when they saw their team mates come past the transition area head to toe in mud.

AC Brent Roney spent a bit of time in the unforgiving swamp searching for his shoe that was sucked off when he ran full speed into the thick mud. Brent’s shoe finding expedition lost him and his team members AC Jamie Dow and LAC Johnny Annear valuable time putting them back to 7th place. Maybe if he displayed more toughness and completed his laps with one shoe, the SUPPLY 1 may have made the top three.

It turned out to be a close race between team DAC 1 (SGT Dave Walters, W/O Anton Toomey and FGOFF Russell Vant) and the team from AMS 4 (AC Josh White, AC Brad Parkes and AC Anthony Riseley). However, it was DAC who managed to secure the win and bask in the glory of being the 2008 Tough Team Champions.

Image Gallery - Issue 94