Last modified Wed., November 08, 2006 - 05:09 PM
Originally created Thursday, November 9, 2006

Miller grabs Monster Dash Run top spot

By MC1(SW/AW) Heather Ewton, Assistant Editor

Participants in the annual Morale, Welfare and Recreation-sponsored "Monster Bash," held at NAS Jacksonville, set their watches before starting the race Oct. 31. Photos by MC2(AW) Regina Brown

Lt. Andrew Miller of Naval Oceanographic Antisubmarine War-fare Detachment (NOAD), snagged first place in the Monster Dash 5K hosted by NAS Jacksonville Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department Oct. 31.

Miller, who is an avid runner, barely broke as sweat as he strode across the finish line with a time of 18:35.

''MWR put on a great event for us. I'd like to take all the credit for winning first place, but I had a steady pacer running with me and he pushed me into the winning position,'' replied a humble Miller.

The run was open to all hands at NAS Jacksonville and it brought out more than 75 personnel from all over the base.

Some of the contestants donned their spooky Halloween apparel to make the run a bit more interesting. ''I participate in all of the runs that MWR puts together for us and I really enjoy coming out here,'' stated Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility Jax Executive Officer Cmdr. Curt Stubbs, who was dressed as the ''Grim Reaper''.

Lt. Kathleen Baldwin of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) took first place in the women's active duty division. ''I train daily and it feels good to have my efforts pay off. I wasn't expecting to win this race. I just like coming out to take part because MWR puts on a great race.''

Winner of the Monster Dash, Lt. Andrew Miller of Naval Oceanographic Antisubmarine Warfare Detachment Jax, accepts his first place medal from Fitness Source Intern Amanda Steele at the awards ceremony that followed the race.

All of the participants received Halloween goody bags and the first 50 registrants received water bottles. At the end of the race, everyone enjoyed refreshments and a medal ceremony provided by MWR.

The results of the Monster Dash 5K are as follows:

Male active duty division

1st - Andrew Miller - 18:35 - NOAD

2nd - Barry Buss - 19:36 - Commander Helicopter Sea Combat Wing (CHSCWL) Atlantic De-tachment

3rd - Mark Lassiter - 20:17 - VP-30

Male open division

1st - John Metzger - 18:37 - Retired Navy

2nd - Jay Clarke - 19:39 - CHSCWL

3rd -John Funk - 20:35 - FRCSE

Female active duty division

NAS Jax Firefighter Eric Johnson leads Sparky, the Fire Prevention Dog, aka Battalion Chief James Gray across the finish line on a leash. After the run, Sparky noted that he was really hot and a gallon of ice cream sounded like a good idea to cool him off!

1st - Kathleen Baldwin - 20:27 - FRCSE

2nd - Maya Jensen - 22:10 - FACSFAC

3rd - Chin Qin Mai - 25:10 - FRCSE

Female open division

1st - Kayla Collie - 23:17 - FRCSE

2nd - Paula Burch - 25:48 - Naval Hospital Jax

3rd - Connie Senkowski - 28:32

For more information on MWR events or upcoming races, contact MWR Athletic Director Tim McKinney at 542-3239.

AW1(AW/SW) Wesley Vinson of Commander Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic Detachment, and his wife, Arlene, loaded up their two daughters so the entire family could enjoy the Monster Dash Run. Emma, 10-months-old, was dressed as a pink leopard and Maria, 3, sported a Princess Ariel costume. Maria and Emma beat their parent's time in the run by a half a second.