MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Headquarters Support Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is known for their creative monthly commander’s cup challenges and for the 2nd time they held a triathlon to determine the fastest company.
Competing for each company was 10 volunteers per team. Alongside the team competitors, individuals from each company ran for their own time bringing the total number of competitors to 51.
Company A, in their second consecutive commander’s cup win, completed with a combined time of 9 hours 16 minutes and 48 seconds. Following in second place was Company B with a time of 9 hours 46 minutes and 55 seconds. Rounding out 3rd and 4th place was Security Company with a time of 9 hours 59 minutes and 10 seconds and Company I with a time of 10 hours 18 minutes and 39 seconds.
In the individual times, Cpl. Kyle Tate from Company A, edged out second place by three seconds with a time of 46 minutes and 10 seconds. Second place went to Sgt. Thomas Kunish from Company B with a time of 46 minutes 13 seconds and 3rd place was awarded to Capt. Johnathan Rudy with a time of 47 minutes and 54 seconds.
The course selected was unchanged between team and individuals and consisted of three laps of the pool, a three mile run to the Gottschalk Marina and concluded with a two mile kayak.
“It’s just like any other event, I came out and competed,” said Cpl. Kyle Tate, a Marine from Company A. “These events are great to build unit cohesion. It’s something great to do on a Friday, it gets you out of your normal work day and allows for something different.”
Challenging Marines is part of Headquarters Support Battalion monthly commander’s cup and now for the second consecutive time, Company A claims the coveted cup.