JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
The Rambler 120, Joint Base San Antonio’s annual adventure race at JBSA Recreation Park at Canyon Lake, is just around the corner.
Set for 7:30 a.m. Oct. 13, the Rambler 120, which began in 2006, challenges individuals and teams with a 6-mile run, 22-mile bike race and 2-mile raft race as well as a mystery event.
Early bird registration – which offers discounts ranging from $5 to $30 – is underway and continues through Sept. 14.
The Rambler 120 exemplifies the wingman concept, said Ashley Lopez, JBSA community programs and partnership specialist.
“There’s camaraderie involved,” she said. “Even though the Rambler 120 hasn’t changed much in all these years, it’s still challenging. When you’re on a team, you have other people to rely on, so no man is left behind.”
Tech. Sgt. Abraham Lopez, Air Education and Training Command NCO in charge, commander support staff, also emphasized the teamwork aspect of the event.
“The thing I like most about competing in the Rambler 120 is the camaraderie and teamwork everyone shows regardless of team or individual status,” he said. “It was a great challenge for me, and the ability to train and complete the event serves as my motivation to keep competing.”
The Rambler 120 also provides a great sense of accomplishment, Ashley Lopez said.
“It’s awesome seeing people cross the finish line with their arms held high,” she said.
The Rambler 120 includes four-person “Xtreme” teams with at least one Department of Defense cardholder and five- to eight-person relay teams with at least two DOD cardholders as well as all-active-duty Xtreme and relay teams. Xtreme and relay teams compete in all-male, all-female and coed categories. It also features a category for individual competitors.
Last year’s Rambler 120 featured nearly 250 participants: 29 individual competitors, 17 relay teams and 21 Xtreme teams.
The only change in this year’s event is the route for the 6-mile run. Due to construction, competitors will not be able to run across the dam.
“The run will start, as usual, on the sunny side of the pavilion, but the middle section of the run will be different,” Ashley Lopez said.