Chasing the dream: From relays to championships

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Patrick Mismick, Lakenheath High School student, leaps a hurdle during the first ever RAF Lakenheath Relays at the base track, June 18, 2011. The competition included track and field events such as the 100-meter dash, 800-meter relay, shot put and discus throw. The event provided Department of Defense personnel the opportunity to be selected to represent the Air Force at the annual Ramstein Allied Headquarters Command Athletics Championships in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)

Chasing the dream: From relays to championships

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England ? A group of athletes take off for the 100-meter dash at the first ever RAF Lakenheath Relays on June 18, 2011. Master Sgt. Khalid Mulazim, Ohio Air Force Reserve, won with a time of 11.31 seconds. The competition included track and field events such as the 100-meter dash, 800-meter relay, shot put and discus throw. The event provided Department of Defense personnel the opportunity to be selected to represent the Air Force at the annual Ramstein Allied Headquarters Command Athletics Championships in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)

Chasing the dream: From relays to championships

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England ? (left to right) Airmen 1st Class Cary Lewis and Jeremy Smithers, 48th Force Support Squadron Services apprentices, run an 800-meter relay during the first ever RAF Lakenheath Relays at the base track, June 18, 2011. Airman Lewis placed second with a time of 2 minutes, 17 seconds. The competition included track and field events such as the 100-meter dash, 800-meter relay, shot put and discus throw. The event provided Department of Defense personnel the opportunity to be selected to represent the Air Force at the annual Ramstein Allied Headquarters Command Athletics Championships in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)

Chasing the dream: From relays to championships

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England ? Allerie Jones, Lakenheath High School student, throws a 16 pound shot put ball during the first ever RAF Lakenheath Relays at the base track, June 18, 2011. He placed second, throwing the shot put ball 10.16 feet. The competition included track and field events such as the 100-meter dash, 800-meter relay, shot put and discus throw. The event provided Department of Defense personnel the opportunity to be selected to represent the Air Force at the annual Ramstein Allied Headquarters Command Athletics Championships in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)

Chasing the dream: From relays to championships

Published June 23, 2011
By Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - -- Airmen from RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall, family members and other Department of Defense personnel participated in the first ever Lakenheath Relays at the RAF Lakenheath track, June 18, 2011.

The relays included a 100 meter dash, 800 meter relay, 3,000 meter relay, shot put, discus throw and other events.

"[The relays provide] the opportunity to [be] selected [for] the annual Ramstein Allied Headquarters Command Athletics Championships in Europe," said Maj. George Onyenyeonwu, 48th Medical Group practice manager.

Several people came out to volunteer for the event as well as participate and found the event to be something they would like to see continued.

"I ran the 3,000 meter [relay]. The first Lakenheath Relays was a great event, and I look forward to its continuation and growth in the coming years, "said Lt. Col. Christopher Bennett, 100th Air Refueling Wing chief of safety.

Many athletes also use track and field events such as this one to make the AF team. Each time a person competes, they are able to annotate what events they participated in and how they did on an AF form 303, which helps them get selected. If they make a qualifying score, they can potentially be chosen for the AF team.

"I plan on using my qualifying time for the 400 meter dash to try to join the AF team," said Airman 1st Class Jeramie Green, 48th Aerospace Medical Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering technician.

If able, Major Onyenyeonwu said he hopes to continue to hold this event every year to help athletes go beyond local events.

"Last year we had seven people from RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath selected [for the AF team] from the first ever Track & Field Trials," said Major Onyenyeonwu. "The plan is to hold this event annually and hope to continue to invite all the North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries as well as all DOD card holders to join in the relays."

The next RAHCAC meet will be held in Belgium, September 2011.