Annual Viking Challenge puts the fun in fundraising

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss
  • 86th Airlift Wing public affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  It has been just over a year since the 2009 KMC Viking Challenge, and this year more than 75 teams of eight to eleven members are geared up to take part in the 2010 Viking Challenge, July 30, held to raise money for the two Fisher Houses located by the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and organizations throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community.

Each year the Club KMC 5/6-sponsored event hosts teams from around the Kaiserslautern Military Community, as they take to the track on Vogelweh Military Complex for 24 hours of walking, jogging or running.

"It doesn't matter how you do it, but one member of each team must be on the track at all times," said Staff Sgt. Anjel Kaylor, Club KMC 5/6 vice president, participant and overall event coordinator. 

The Viking Challenge is the 5/6 organization's biggest annual fundraiser. Last year the event raised $15,000 for the Fisher Houses, which provide a free home away from home enabling family members to be close to loved ones during illness, disease or injury hospitalization while at LRMC.

"Fisher House is a fabulous organization that supports America's military in their time of need," said Sergeant Kaylor. "I am honored we can put on this event to support this great organization."

Even if you have never needed the Fisher House or know someone who does, but still like to have fun while being challenged, the Viking Challenge is the event for you.

At the 2009 Viking Challenge, team members wore various costumes like Viking helmets and capes, some teams set up tents for their members to rest while others kept the charge. Though rain threatened to cancel the event, they had fun, and this year is expected to be more of the same.

"Last year the weather was crappy, but that didn't deter us from having a great event," said Master Sgt. Seth Rector, member of team Jaywalkers.

Sergeant Rector explained the Viking Challenge means something special to the Jaywalkers, who named the team in honor of their former captain who passed away more than a year ago.

"We participate in his honor," he said. "and supporting the Fisher House to top it off is a great cause."

This year teams will also be competing for trophies honoring those who complete the most miles, collect the most donations and display the most esprit de' corps, but trophies are why many of the Viking Challenge participants come back to the event year after year.

Like others, Sergeant Rector was on the track for 10 hours but stayed at the event the full 24 hours.

"We had tents set up, but I actually only slept about 10 minutes the rest of the time we barbequed and just had fun being together," he said.

If you would like to come out and support your favorite team or pledge donations co-workers, peers, supervisors, subordinates, spouses and friends are encouraged to come out to the Vogelweh track next to the gym located on Vogelweh Military Complex, start time is set for July 30 at noon.