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News | March 29, 2018

HQC employees participate in fitness event to ‘Honor the Warrior’

By Dianne Ryder

More than 130 McNamara Headquarters Complex employees dressed for a sunny yet unseasonably chilly 5K run/walk March 27. Participants stretched and warmed up alongside colleagues and then ran, walked and wheeled in support of this year’s theme, “Honor the Warrior.”

Alex Cano, a contract specialist with Defense Logistics Agency Energy, was the top male finisher, with a time of 19:09.

Diane Mogard, an intelligence operations specialist with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, was the top female finisher, with a time of 21:59. First-place walkers were DLA contractor Tony Alegria and Shari Fuzzell, a program and management analyst from DLA Energy. Their times were 49:23 and 47:15, respectively.

Mogard said she appreciated the opportunity to participate in a weekday event, since weekend races usually conflict with her family duties. She’s also new to DTRA, and this was her first run at the McNamara HQC.

“I really like that [the HQC] does fitness events like this during the workday; it’s a good way to get people involved,” she said. “I hadn’t run around Belvoir before, so I was excited to find that there are trails; I’ll probably use them now that I know where they are.”

Both Mogard and Fuzzell said they appreciated the friendliness of the volunteers and fitness center staff.“It was great weather for the 5K, and I thoroughly enjoy the walking experience outdoors and the views,” Fuzzell said. “[I’d like] to thank the volunteers at every station for their time and gracious assistance.”

Cano, who’s placed first in several HQC races, said he appreciates any opportunity to run, especially outdoors. He noted while the weather was “perfect,” runners should always dress appropriately for the weather; he wore a hat and layers of clothing.

“What drives me to run these races is the thrill of it. I enjoy the fresh air, scenery and runner’s high,” he said. “The theme, Honor the Warrior, is great because we recognize what the warfighter does for our country and our everyday lives.”

 Mogard agreed. “I’m also an Army spouse, so I definitely support the military in my professional and personal life.”

 After the race, participants were treated to water, fruit and bagels in the HQC cafeteria. The first 100 people to register for the event received t-shirts, and all were eligible to register for drawings from the event’s sponsors.