Story By: JO2 Henry Rice
email: parice72@cv62.navy.mil
Date: January 30, 1998
Today, a recorded 592 Sailors and Marines participated in the Black History Month/Indian Ocean Marathon Relay on the flight deck of USS Independence (CV 62) as the carrier steamed towards the Arabian Gulf.
The relay marathon featured 20, seven-man teams competing for cash prizes, which were provided by the ship's Morale Welfare and Recreation office. There were also more than twenty other teams that got together to run the race for fun. These teams had more than seven members. The teams divided up the required 70 lap, 26.5 mile course set up on the 1,080 foot Independence.
"I was really surprised by the participation of the crew," said Lieutenant Elias Oxendine, the marathon coordinator and native of Warner Robins, Ga. "The event came together quickly and many of the guys were given short notice."
This is the second marathon relay held on Independence, and although the weather was completely different, the winners were the same. Seven members of the Engineering Department finished the race in first place with a time of 1:52:19. "Main Steam" also won the first ever marathon as the ship transited the Tsagaru Straits in November.
"Getting back up on the flight deck from the engineering spaces to defend our title was great," said Machinist Mate Third Class Gregory Johnson from Harrison, Nevada. "I knew we would win."
"Main Steam" had some stiff competition during this race from a team of Marines, the "Squid Killers," who finished the race in a close second with a time of 1:54:29. The Marines, from the 1st Battalion 3rd Marine Division Charlie Company, have embarked to provide security to the sensitive areas of the ship.
"I've been on a couple of other ships before, and they never had any competitions with the Navy or anything like that," said Lance Cpl. Michael Bolduc from Bowie, Md. "It was pretty much dull. This event was a lot of fun."
Most of the crew thought that the idea to hold the race was a great morale booster and winning really wasn't that important.
"Events like this do a lot for the morale of the crew," said Data Systems Technician Second Class Andrew Boyet from Thibobaux, La. "It does a lot to get up here and enjoy the sunshine and soak up some good weather. It's a good thing."
"We weren't in it to win," said Boatswain's Mate Third Class Michael Reed from Norman, Okla. "We got twenty members of Deck Department together for a good time."
The relay marathon was the first in a series of events to promote Black History Month, which officially kicks off tomorrow. And according to many of the participants, it was a great way for the crew to get together and enjoy themselves before arriving on station in the Arabian Gulf sometime soon.
Photos by JO3 Joseph Rehana
Top Photo: Seven members of the Engineering Department finished the race in first place with a time of 1:52:19. Team members' include: DC3 Kevin Metcalf from Tucson, AZ; MM3 Greg Johnson from Henderson, NV; EM3 Felix Montoya from Floresville, Texas; EM3 Jose Badillo from Milwaukee, WI; FN Alex Ramirez from Parstall, Texas; Lt. j.g. Brad Alaniz from Minneapolis, MN; and Lt. Cmdr. Tony Wilson from Manito, IL.