YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — Shake your booty, hit the ground running or jog up a mountain.
Yokosuka’s fitness center has an assortment of activities planned to get the community moving, competing and having fun.
The month of May is packed with activities. Some were postponed from previous months, while others are annual events. The result, said Fitness Programs Coordinator Mimi Wright, is an action-packed start to summer and a great opportunity to introduce people to the fitness center and the programs it features.
“And to have an active and healthy lifestyle,” she added.
Since joining the fitness staff in March, Wright has taken a big approach to fitness. A Navy spouse and mother of two, she says she loves working out.
To encourage people to join fitness center classes or competitions, Wright says, she’s planning major events to get the whole community involved, often with prizes.
Many events she mentioned reach out to the base distance running community. “We have a lot of marathon runners who run on their own,” she said, adding that she’s hoping to encourage them to join base events. “If you have a nice prize to give away, they will come.”
Wright said she’s planning to add to the four 10K runs the base holds each year and is encouraging Americans to join a monthly marathon tour in Japan.
For those who can’t race those distances, she said, the fitness center has a list of shorter runs and swims and aerobics and other wellness classes.
Events planned also could serve as preparation for Navy physical fitness assessments for sailors, she said, and some of the events encourage Americans to get to know Japanese sports enthusiasts on and off base.
Some of the events ...
Here’s a look at some of the events planned. They are open to anyone with Status of Forces Agreement status; where noted, they’re open to everyone, including Japanese nationals.
¶ Fitness Fair and 5K run, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. In the courtyard outside the commissary, fitness staff will demonstrate some of the classes available at Yokosuka, including samba, Pilates and yoga. “Everything we do here,” said Fitness Programs Coordinator Mimi Wright. Visitors can have health and fitness assessments and meet trainers from the base and the nearby Gold’s Gym. At noon, the 5K race will start from the same location. Entrance to the fair is $10.
¶ Ronin Invitational, 7 a.m. May 21. Yokosuka’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal detachment invites the community to join its physical training routine, during the second annual biathlon-plus. “It’s a tough competition,” Wright said.
A ronin is a Japanese warrior without a leader; the event is planned in honor of a group of 47 Japanese warriors whose leader was killed. For the race, 47 people will run 6.8 kilometers (about four miles), then swim 1.5 kilometers in the ocean, followed by another 1.5K run for good measure. Fins, wetsuits and goggles are allowed. Call DSN 241-4486 or 243-7190 to sign up by May 20. There’s a $20 fee.
¶ Memorial Day 3K, 11:30 a.m. May 27. Check-in for the free event is at 11 a.m. at Thew Gym.
¶ International Aerobathon, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 28. This event at the Fleet Rec center is open to the base and local community. The event showcases the aerobic activities available on base, including samba, Pilates, yoga and aerobics classes. More than 100 people have signed up.
Drinks and healthy refreshments will be served. SOFA-status holders pay $10; others, 1,500 yen (about $14). Call DSN 241-4486 for information and to have someone signed up for a visitor’s pass to base.
¶ Mt. Fuji Climbing Race. Run up a mountain, either 22 kilometers or 15 kilometers (about 13 miles and nine miles). Sign up at the fitness center by the end of May to join the July 22 race. The race is part of the MWR Marathon Tours program, where runners can join monthly Japanese races. The 2004 male winner was an American, so everyone is welcome. The entry fee is 6,070 yen (about $58).
— Staff reports
