"JAC-HAMMERS" Run the TOUGH GUY, NETTLE WARRIOR XI Challenge

  • Published
  • By Lieutenant Commander Wayne Hill
  • JIOCEUR Joint Analytic Center
ROYAL AIR FORCE MOLESWORTH, England --  Not just anyone can say they are a certified "Tough Guy."

Nine proud, mud-covered members of the "JAC-HAMMERS" team from the JIOCEUR Analytic Center met the challenge on Sunday, July 27th.

As team member Lieutenant Jose Lepesuastegui noted: "The Tough Guy competition claims to be one of the toughest races in the world and it more than lived up to the reputation."

The Tough Guy - Nettle Warrior XI Challenge was held on a large farm in the small village of Perton, England.  The "JAC-HAMMERS" competed against a field of over 5,000 other participants in teams with names like FULL METAL JACKET POTATOES, FUNGI FITNESS, ALL POWER NO CONTROL, THE RABID OWLS and bringing up the rear in the standings , the "NOT SO SPICY GIRLS."

Competitors were dressed in a variety of garb, from the serious competitors/runners, to those who thought a "Borat" swimsuit was the way to go. The race was held on the hottest day of the year.

Once the race began at 1100, it was a flurry of contestants on the 8-10 miles of difficult and at times ominous obstacles. The JAC-HAMMERS faced obstacles like a 40 foot climb up and down a wooden tower known as the "High Leopard", mud, muddy water, more mud, hills, crawling under barbed-wire, crawling up drainage pipes, running through fire...and then another lap of it again.

Petty Officer Third Class Joseph Hibbard and Anthony Devlin finished first out of the JAC-HAMMERS at 3 hours and 11 minutes. The JIOCEUR Analytical Center Commander, Marine Corps Colonel Pete Devlin and Navy Lieutenant José Lepesuastegui finished at 3 hours 14 minutes. Lieutenant John Rahaghi and Ms. Ivana Young finished at 4 hours and 3 minutes. The last to cross for the JAC-HAMMERS were Lieutenant Commander Wayne Hill, Lieutenant Katie Hall, and Chief Petty Officer Nick Williams at 4 hours 23 minutes.

After it was all finished, the JAC-HAMMERS were able to say with pride that they were "Tough Guys".