From the Opelika-Auburn News: http://www.oanow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=OAN/MGArticle/OAN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353542053&path=!news:

QuoteCivil Air Patrol members compete in local Iron Man Competition

William White  / Staff Writer
November 18, 2007

The second annual CAP Iron Man Competition lived up to its name Saturday for members from across Alabama and Mississippi.

Before breakfast, the competition started with physical fitness tests, then a change into dress uniforms for inspection and drill, and after lunch, continued in a search for a simulated downed aircraft using a direction finder, crossing campus on a four-mile run/walk ending at the top the AU's football stadium just in time for a written test and then back down to construct and launch a rocket in the dark on the lawn at the Nichol's Center, where it all started on campus.

The U.S. Air Force connection to the Civil Air Patrol said these events give the cadets a chance to compete and have some fun.

"This is good for the kids," said U.S. Air Force Col. Russ Hodgkins. "This gives them a chance to compete in all the basic skills that they learn.

"It is one thing for them to learn all these basic skill, but it is another thing for them to actually get out and compete. This puts a little bit of competition and fun into it," he said.

The Civil Air Patrol's second annual Iron Man competition tested the cadets' mental and physical abilities in the three missions: aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. They competed in five graded events: a physical fitness test, military-style uniform inspection, drill competition, advanced land navigation and urban direction finding course, and a four-mile run/walk with task objective stops around campus.

Sponsored by the Auburn Composite Squadron under the leadership of Capt. Chris Tate, the Iron Man Competition included cadets and senior member competitors from Maxwell Air Force Base, Keesler Air Force Base in MIssissippi, Pell City, Bessemer, Chilton County and Autauga/Elmore counties. Cadets must be 18 to be considered senior members.

Tate said the group of cadets from Mississippi took home the trophy with the best overall score from the day's competition. Second place went to Autauga/Elmore counties. Third place to a combined Bessemer/Chilton County group. Fourth place went to Maxwell Air Force Base, and fifth place to the Pell City group.

Honestly.....not what I thought when I saw the title, but still cool.

I supose I should have said why I thought it worthy of inclusion --- Since there has been some talk of physical fitness and CAP lately, I thought this an interesting example of one way of encouraging it.  Now, it would have been really interesting if Officers had competed as well. 

A related topic might be about having CAP members compete as teams in the various adventure races that are gaining in popularity.  Many of them include orienteering as a main part of the event. 

Quote from: RiverAux on November 18, 2007, 07:50:43 PM
I supose I should have said why I thought it worthy of inclusion --- Since there has been some talk of physical fitness and CAP lately, I thought this an interesting example of one way of encouraging it.  Now, it would have been really interesting if Officers had competed as well. 

A related topic might be about having CAP members compete as teams in the various adventure races that are gaining in popularity.  Many of them include orienteering as a main part of the event. 

Or in the services marathons.  A group of 20 or so in the Marine Corps or Army Marathon would draw some attention.

Quote from: mikeylikey on November 18, 2007, 10:16:23 PM
Or in the services marathons.  A group of 20 or so in the Marine Corps or Army Marathon would draw some attention.

We'll see that only if the CAP marathoners are offered free donuts for each mile.   

The Competition actually encourages Senior Members to participate.  We had about 4 participate this year.  I even offered our Wing Staff that if they were able to put together a team, I'd make arrangements to have those Rascal Scooters available....and oxygen. 

Iron Man 2008 should be coming up on November.  Anyone that wants to play should stay tuned to the ALWG website for entry information.

Quote from: RiverAux on November 18, 2007, 07:50:43 PM
I supose I should have said why I thought it worthy of inclusion --- Since there has been some talk of physical fitness and CAP lately, I thought this an interesting example of one way of encouraging it.  Now, it would have been really interesting if Officers had competed as well. 

Exactly what I was thinking.  I'm game if anyone else is serious about it!

I believe FLWG is trying to get something like this going. Should be interesting to see how it goes. (Its the CAC that's planning it, after all  )

The 2008 Iron Man Competition has wrapped up.

12 teams made up of 6 people each (including 3 Senior Members...eh....Officers) made the trip to Auburn University for this years event.  Though we didn't get quite the regional or national participation we hoped from, we still had teams from two wings competing.

If you are on the Facebook, you can view a video with highlights.

Part 1 - http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1045709829349
Part 2 - http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1045481823649

There should be more information and photos posted on www.areyouanironman.com in the near future.

Congratulations to the Chilton County Composite Squadron (AL 117), this years champions!

I was gonna say, we just wrapped up the Ironman 70.3 triathlon here in Clearwater. The route included a 56-mile bike ride, a 13-mile run and the rest of the 70.3 miles in a swim.

No CAP member competed. Apparently, BlackKnight, there wasn't a donuts-and-coffee stop every half-mile... and no one to tell stories to at the finish line.

(Wait, did I say that?)