MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The California Firefighter's Summer Olympics continued its weeklong competition at Miramar's fire station and Semper Fit Sports Complex with a six-part challenge July 11.

The physical fitness event encompassed a three-mile run, a bench press, timed sit-ups, a 100-meter dash, a 100-meter swim and a modified combat challenge obstacle course.

The three-mile run took place at the air station's physical fitness test course. Other events like the bench press, in which the competitors attempted to record the most repetitions of lifting 80 percent of their weight, unfolded at the Semper Fit complex. Miramar's water survival training pool served as the location for the swim, while Station 61 hosted the obstacle challenge.

Participants in the physical fitness challenge competed in one of four categories: males ages 18-29, 30-39, 40 and over, and female.  Medals were awarded to the top three competitors in each division that had more than five participants.

Other events in the competition included basketball and a triathlon, a Texas Hold 'em Poker tournament, which was new to this year's competition.

Among the competitors were firefighters from various stations in California including Los Angeles County, Santa Cruz and Fullerton. This inter-station rivalry is in keeping with its tradition, to afford California's firefighters an opportunity to come together in friendly competition that encourages physical fitness while providing an informal forum for exchanging ideas. 

That the air station played host to the event highlighted the fact Miramar has not only military firefighters, but civilians as well.

"It helps us get known," said Doug Bouck, engineer, Miramar Fire Department. "Most don't think civilian firefighters are on a military station. They think it is all military personnel, but now they know we are here and we can help each other out a little more."

Miramar's support was critical to the event's success as it aided the event's organizers, the Chula Vista Fire Department, in defraying the cost of the event.

"It has been great to have the help of Miramar and its' fire department. We would have had to pay in order to use all the different facilities this event needs," said Jeremy Czapinski, firefighter, Chula Vista Fire Department, "so it was a big help for the Marine Corps to donate its facilities and personnel."