Washington Adventist Camp Meeting attendees got their blood pumping in a new activity introduced by Washington Conference's health ministries. Nearly 30 people, ages 13 to 79, officially participated in a 5K fun run/walk.
"Everyone had a good time," says Nessy Pittau, Washington Conference health ministries director and 5K organizer. "They want to do a 5K every year at camp meeting."
The day of the fun run/walk was cool and overcast which provided a nice environment for walking and running a 5K course mapped out on the Auburn Adventist Academy airstrip.
Chuck Hagele, Project PATCH executive director, finished the course in 20:49 to clock in as the overall winner before he "ran" to give his camp meeting presentation.
"The grass was thick and very wet," says Scott Tyman, Tacoma Central pastor. Even with the wet grass on the airstrip, Tyman was only three seconds off his time earlier in the week when he ran the same distance in 25:30.
Implementing the 5K fun run/walk is the fulfillment of a long-time dream for Pittau.
"I would like to do it with a cause next time," says Pittau, who hopes to support either a food bank or Soles4Souls, a ministry that distributes gently used shoes to disaster victims and people in poverty.
Photos and results from the 5K fun run/walk are available at washingtonconference.org.
Runners and walkers pause for a moment to pray for safety and good health before beginning Washington Adventist Camp Meeting's first 5K fun run/walk. (Heidi Martella)
Greg Schaller, 5K emcee, cheers on Amber Jurgensen, #21, as she runs the 5K course at Washington Adventist Camp Meeting. Jurgensen finished in 32:27. (Heidi Martella)
Karen Kobylka, #9, participates in the first Washington Adventist Camp Meeting 5K fun run/walk. She finished the course in 29:05. (Heidi Martella)
Just 20 minutes after the first Washington Adventist Camp Meeting 5K fun run/walk began, Chuck Hagele, Project PATCH executive director, crosses the finish line and heads off to give his camp meeting presentation. (Heidi Martella)
