Running down sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brandon Valle
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

The 90th Missile Wing worked with different agencies off-base to host a 5-kilometer run April 9 in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. More than 600 Airmen, Soldiers, Guardsmen and civilians took part in the race.

“We were thrilled with the amount of people that came to show their support,” said Jill Randall, 90th Missile Wing sexual assault response coordinator. “We couldn’t have been happier with the support we received for our event.”

The course began and ended in Cheyenne, Wyoming’s, Lion’s Park and led runners down one of the busiest streets in the city.

Before the race began, Mayor Rick Kaysen and Col. Paul Lyman, 153rd Airlift Wing, spoke to the attendees, thanking them for supporting SAAP month. Statistical information on sexual assaults and encouraging messages lined the course for participants to learn more.

Senior Airman Aaron Hurtado, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, was the first to complete the course, with a time of 17 minutes, 42 seconds.

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office will be hosting more events during the month, such as:

  • Movie showing of “The Hunting Ground” – April 14 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., base theater

  • Physical Empowerment Course – April 16 at 11 a.m., Independence Hall Fitness Center

  • “Survivor’s Speak” breakfast – April 23 at 7:30 a.m., Chadwell Dining Facility

“I encourage all Airmen to come out and join these events to show their support for all those effected by this issue,” Randall said. “Only by working as a team and taking care of each other can we successfully reduce violence in our community.”

For more information on any of the events or on ways you can help, contact the SAPR office at 773-3483.