Run all night: 11th annual KMC Viking Challenge

The Kaiserslautern Military Community gave charitable organizations a run for their money at the 11th annual KMC Viking Challenge July 28 on Vogelweh.

Hosted by the KMC 5/6 organization, the KMC Viking Challenge is an annual 24-hour run and walk-a-thon aimed at raising money for charitable organizations.

The 2017 KMC Viking Challenge was host to approximately 600 participants as they walked, ran and camped, raising money for organizations such as the Landstuhl Fisher House.

Since its beginning, the KMC Viking Challenge has raised more than $336,000 for the Landstuhl Fisher House alone.

“Other than the Landstuhl Fisher House, we donate to a variety of different organizations like the Kinder Graves, the United Service Organization and the Wounded Warrior Project,” said Tech. Sgt. Daren Lazo, 435th Construction and Training Squadron NCO in charge of heating, ventilation and air conditioning contingency training.

All proceeds raised from the 2017 KMC Viking Challenge go back directly to the KMC in one way or another.

Throughout the course of the event, 43 teams competed against each other, completing over 24,179 laps for a composite distance of about 6,045 miles.

“This year’s Viking Challenge was a success,” said Tech Sgt. Grecille Newton, 691st Cyberspace Operations Squadron NCO in charge of network monitoring management. “Anytime we have participation for fundraisers, add in decent weather, space for all of the teams, door prizes and 13 food-serving vendors provided by private organizations within the KMC, it is a success.”