Maintainers go the distance

(left to right) Staff Sgt. Nicholas Sinnwell, Senior Airman Zachary Cervantes and Master Sgt. Thomas Huchison III are the first 48th Maintenance Group members to complete the 48th MXG 100 Mile Distance Run Challenge. The Challenge is self-paced and can be run either outdoors or indoors, with progress tracked on the Air Force Portal. For completing the 100 miles, each Airman received a certificate of completion and a three-day pass from 48th MXG Commander Col. Dorothy Silvanic. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of Master Sgt. Thomas Huchison)

Maintainers go the distance

Published Sept. 29, 2010
By Senior Airman David Dobrydney
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Working long hours, the Airmen of the 48th Maintenance Group sometimes find getting to the main fitness & sports center difficult.

Instead, they use the flightline gym, which is open 24 hours and has recently seen the start of a new fitness program.

Established by 48th Maintenance Group commander, Col. Dorothy Silvanic, the 100-Mile Distance Challenge is a self-paced program that can be run outdoors or indoors on a treadmill. Master Sgt. Thomas Hutchison, 48th Component Maintenance Squadron Production superintendent, is in charge of the program and is also one of the first to complete the challenge.

"The challenge was designed to foster 24-hour gym use and improve overall fitness through a self-paced workout," said Sergeant Hutchison. "The challenge is an integrity-based program, and all that is required is a copy of the distance tracked on the AF Portal."

To date 13 individuals have registered with the program and three have completed it, including Sergeant Hutchison. Each received a certificate of completion and a three-day pass from Colonel Silvanic.

Coincidently, the three individuals scored an excellent rating on their PT tests.

To sign up for the challenge, contact Sergeant Hutchison.