The rays of the morning sun lit the way for runners tackling “The Beast” 10-kilometer race at Dewey Square, March 9.

The 10th annual race, which is part of the 2013 Commanding Officer’s Fitness Series, was open to all military personnel, family members and the public.

The race started with participants warming up at Dewey Square. Runners received their race numbers and ankle bands, embedded with timing chips so an electronic timer could record their times.

When all competitors were ready, 310 runners took their positions at the starting line and waited for an air horn to blow, signifying the race had begun.

The run started at Dewey Square and took competitors toward the front gate where they moved onto the trail around the Nuupia Ponds. The trail ended on Mokapu Road and the runners followed it to Radar Road on the Kansas Tower Hill. Runners ended the race at Dewey Square.

The competition allowed people to run in groups of 10. There were four groups, including Marines from 3rd Marine Regiment.

“‘The Beast’ run was 6.4 miles of motivation,” said Lance Cpl. Nick Mitchell, administrative specialist with 3rd Marine Regiment and a native of Dallas. “It doesn’t matter how fast we go as long as we stay together, everyone we passed was just more motivation to keep going.”

Though runners had their own reasons for participating in the race, many enjoyed the chance to be competitive, perform athletically, or spend time with family and friends while working up a sweat.

“The hill up Radar Road was a beast — I guess that’s why they call it the Beast 10-kilometer run,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Wiewiorski, an electrician mate with the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and native of Kailua, Hawaii. “I plan on coming back and will definitely recommend this race to other people.”

Marines and sailors from several units within 3rd Marines volunteered to make the race a success. Navy corpsmen with 3rd Marines were present to ensure the safety of all participants. Forty other Marines with 3rd Marines volunteered to assist with the race, serve as road guards, staff water stations and direct runners to stay on the right path.

“We were proud to support ‘The Beast’ 10-kilometer race,” said Master Sgt. Brandon Kealoha, operations chief for Headquarters Company, 3rd Marines and a native of Hilo, Hawaii. “It took a lot of manpower and time to set up for the run, but 3rd Marine Regiment was happy to help make it a success.”

Awards and prizes were given out to participants for completing the race. The top three finishers in each division received award plaques while raffle winners got gift cards and other prizes.

Chris Bachl was the first male to finish the race with a time of 34:27 minutes. He had a mile pace of 5:33 minute. Karen Miller was the first female to cross the finish line with a time of 40:52 minutes. She kept a 6:35 minute per-mile time throughout the race. The fastest group to finish the race was 10 Marines from 3rd Marines, finishing in a time of one hour and one minute. They kept a 9:30 minute mile throughout the race.

The next Commanding Officer’s Fitness Series race is the Single Marine and Sailor Program Surf and Turf 5K.

For more information about upcoming races, call 254-7590.