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Blue Sharks charitable in Aloha Run
The Barbers Pointer March 14, 1986
by LT Dave Wegner
0400, 17 February-16 alarm
clocks go off almost simultaneously. Seconds later, they are all smashed beyond recognition by 16 Blue Sharks of VP-6. Then, these 16 lean, mean VP-6 runners loosened up and ate their raw beef and raw egg breakfasts
in preparation for the 1986 Aloha Run.
The 16 warriors arrived at Aloha Stadium and were then transported to the starting line. There, they waited with 15,000 others for the starting gun and their
rendezvous with destiny. At precisely 0645, it came. LT Dave Wegner and LT Steve Parks got off to a quick start and led for the first half-second or so. But, they say, a group of "undisciplined hooligans"
(not their terminology) blocked their way, allowing the eventual winner, Duncan McDonald, to pass them up. They both were able to finish under one hour, though at 52 minutes 12 seconds, leading the Blue Shark
contingent.
Finishing shortly behind them were ADC David Mick and ADC Scott Mensen, at 55 minutes and 52 minutes 30 seconds, respectively. The claim that they could have won, but stopped to help pull
several tourist to safety from a burning hotel
Also breaking the one hour mark was LCDR Mike Aaby, finishing in 56 minutes 12 seconds. He did not achieve a personal best due to the fact, he says,
that he had to stop several times to help runners from other less, athletic commands.
The other 11 runners from VP-6 also did not win. They all unselfishly sacrificed
their chances at the winners
circle in order to stay voluntarily, mind you, at the back of the pack to help the injured or worn out entrants. They were Mike Braun, Steve Brodersen, Mark Dold, Mac Hardaway, Steve Kaul, Greg Hansen, Mike Sherer,
John Wilde, Dick Vojvoda, Craig Powell and Dave Nelson.
All 16 said they considered the Aloha Run merely a tune-up run before the real
contest-The Cane Dwellers lOK. They are looking forward to
challenging the other commands in Hangar 282 and on Barbers Point on April 12th.
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