HAWC sponsors cardio challenge Published May 6, 2008 By Master Sgt. Alexander R. Ray 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Nestled amid the peaks of the Pennine Alps within the borders of France and Italy resides the highest peak in Western Europe. Mont Blanc, French for "White Mountain" and also known as La Dame Blanc or "The White Lady," stands 15,77 feet high and has been a challenge to those who have dared to climb her heights and brave her grueling climates. The first recorded ascent tells of a pair of daring adventurers, Jacques Balmet and Michel Paccard conquering her heights Aug. 8, 1786. Now, you too can achieve such a feat without leaving the confines of your local gym. The Skelton Memorial Fitness Center is sponsoring the Conquer Mont Blanc Cardio Challenge. The challenge runs through the month of May and involves four-man trek teams consisting of three trekkers and a head yodeler who serves as the team organizer and leader. Teams earn distance climbed in exchange for the amount of time exercising. The formula is five feet awarded for every minute of exercise performed. The team with the farthest distance trekked wins the challenge. Only aerobic exercises will count for the earned distance. "The Conquer Mont Blanc has been the May Fitness Month Cardio Challenge for 4 years. Each year I choose a higher mountain in the European region for members to challenge to climb. Each year the participation continues to grow; last year we had 20 teams (80 participants) and this year we have 25 teams (100 participants). Participants are active duty, civilians, families, and even some of the GSU's are competing," said Julie Langager, the 52nd Fighter Wing Exercise Physiologist, and Fitness Program Manager. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports month and events like this may to inspire people to shake off the lethargy of winter hibernation, trim the few pounds accumulated and find a way to get fit while having fun. The town of Chamonix, France, located in a valley at the base of Mont Banc was the site of the first Winter Olympics in 1924 and that legacy of physical fitness, challenge, and competition still endures here today at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.