KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore. -- In conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month the 173rd Fighter Wing SAPR office coordinated a 5K walk/run to raise awareness of the issue, while having fun and increasing fitness during drill weekend, April 6, 2019.
Called the “Race to Zero” the event featured a run for those who wanted to race, and a walk for those who wanted to support the event without running.
“This 5K is put on to support our survivors and victims of sexual assault, both military and civilian, while also getting folks out here who are working toward the goal of preventing it from happening in the first place,” said run organizer Amber Spotten, the 173rd Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.
This is the second year for the event at Kingsley Field, and this year it drew more than 150 participants, an increase of nearly double the inaugural event.
“I wasn’t thinking that we were going to make 150 people, but it looks like we going to have a crowd out here today,” said Spotten as people began showing up for the run or walk Saturday morning.
This year’s event was staged off-base at the neighboring Klamath Falls International Airport parking lot, which opened it up to more community members who do not have base access.
The first runner to cross the finish line was Tech. Sgt. Zachary Vaughan of the 173rd Maintenance Group.
“There were a few people out in front with me and we just ended up running pretty hard for three-point-one miles,” he said afterwards with a smile on his face.
This event, although a large one requiring a significant amount of work, is only one event among several executed in the month of April. Additional events included hosting recovery care coordinator Keith Mondloch with the Wounded Warrior Program, passing out SAPR materials to arriving members on the first morning of drill, and conducting an annual survey of Airmen at the 173rd Fighter Wing.