Courtesy PhotoCaption: On Saturday, 152 runners turned out for the inaugural 309th MI Battalion Sentinel Pursuit 8K, which started and finished outside the 309th MI Bn. Headquarters on Hunt Avenue.
On Saturday morning, 152 runners ran in the inaugural 309th MI Battalion Sentinel Pursuit 8K, which started and finished outside the 309th Military Battalion Headquarters on Hunt Avenue.
Taking the victory on the men’s side was Jose Campos, a Soldier attending advanced individual training, or AIT, with the 305th MI Bn., who completed the 4.97-mile run in 29:34, a 5:56 per-mile pace. Campos was followed by John Jacobs in second with a 32:07, and third-place Nathaniel Nyquist ran a 32:31.
The female winner was Drea Pierce, a platoon sergeant with Company F, 309th MI Bn., who came in at 34:38, an average of 6:57 minutes per mile. Second female finisher was Melissa Salamanca, commander, Company C, 305th MI Bn., with a time of 36:36. Third place was taken by Lani Jensen in 38:45.
Many of the runners were AIT Soldiers, like Campos, but the race was open to all of Fort Huachuca and the general public.
The 8K course started with runners traveling west on Hunt, north on Arizona, east on Brainard, past the East Gate on Hatfield, around the 305th MI Bn. Complex, and finished at the 309th MI Bn. Headquarters parking lot.
Temperatures hovered around a chilly thirty degrees Fahrenheit while participants were picking up their t-shirts and numbers before the race, but the sun warmed everything up after the start, making the post-race atmosphere comfortable while results were being tabulated.
The idea for the Sentinel Pursuit came from 309th MI Bn. Commander, Lt. Col. Laura Knapp, who wanted to provide an additional opportunity for AIT Soldiers and the community to participate in a healthy and fun event on post. While more than 150 runners was a successful start, the hope is for the race to continue to grow and become an annual event hosted by the 309th MI Bn.
