Bling Your Briefs 10k

A group of Airmen gather before the beginning of the “Bling Your Briefs” 10k at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 20, 2013. More than 35 Airmen and family members designed creative briefs to wear during 5k and 10k races to show their support for Men’s Health Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alystria Maurer/Released)

Bling Your Briefs 10k

Col. Thomas Goulter Jr. (left), 28th Mission Support Group commander, and Col. Susan Pietrykowski, 28th Medical Group commander, run in their “blinged-out” briefs for the “Bling Your Briefs” 10k at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 20, 2013. The 28th Medical Operations Squadron Health and Wellness Center hosted the event to prompt men to take a proactive approach toward their health. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alystria Maurer/Released)

Bling Your Briefs 10k

Staff Sgt. Cesar Noguez (left), and Senior Airman Daniel Fox, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron pest management technicians, walk together during the 5k portion of the “Bling Your Briefs” event at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 20, 2013. The races were targeted at raising awareness about prostate cancer, and overall, stressed the importance of taking a proactive approach toward healthy living. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebecca Imwalle/Released)

Airmen 'bling their briefs' to support Men's Health Month

Published June 21, 2013
By MSgt John Barton
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- More than 35 Airmen and their families donned festive apparel for the 28th Medical Operations Squadron Health and Wellness Center's "Bling your Briefs" races June 20.

Participants were encouraged to design creative briefs to wear in support of Men's Health Month, particularly prostate cancer awareness, for the 5k and 10k events that began at the Pride Hangar.

Austin Rivera-Lawson, a Douglas High School senior and son of an Ellsworth civilian employee, finished first in the 10k race.

Rivera-Lawson said he wanted to come out and help bring attention to men's health.

To raise awareness about breast cancer, the HAWC sponsored a similar event, "Bling your Bra," last October. "Bling your Briefs," provided an outlet to support a stance against a similar condition for men.

Senior Airman Medferiash Gordon, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron knowledge operations technician, finished first in the 5k race.

"I think it's important to understand what people go through every day and spread awareness about men's health because some young people just don't know what can happen to their bodies," Gordon said.

The HAWC awarded prizes to individuals with the fastest times and best decorated briefs. SSgt Feleena Farris and Senior Master Sgt. Charles Sheffield took the prizes for best briefs.

For more information about the HAWC's fitness programs and tips for a healthy lifestyle, call (605) 385-1337.