The Hampton Roads Sports Commission, an affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce,recently hosted the first Hampton Roads Hero Games presented by Endurance IT Services from October 5th-7th. This event was created to support first responders and show camaraderie with other first responder departments throughout Hampton Roads, while also allowing the business community and public to show their support and appreciation.
Blake White, President of Endurance IT Services, stated, “Through Endurance’s Annual Give Back Initiative we support our heroes in our community from our local law enforcement and service veterans to those families and organizations who help special needs children. The Hero Games gives us a wonderful way to honor our first responders who risk their lives every day and their families who often suffer and need help for a better life.”
The first responders battled in five different sporting events during the three day period, trying to accumulate points and trophies for their city and department. The first event that kick-started the 2016 Hampton Roads Hero Games was the Firefighter Challenge at the Virginia Beach Fire Training Center. First responders had to complete a six-stage course consisting of, a tower run, a force entry drill, foam bucket carry, a mannequin drag, a 200 meter run, and finishing it off with a ladder carry. Later that day was the volleyball tournament at River Crest Community Center in Chesapeake. On Thursday, October 6th first responders and the business community participated in the golf tournament at Ocean View Golf Course followed by the CrossFit Challenge at Compound CrossFit. Ending the event on Friday, October 7th was the pistol challenge with a multi-phase event at C2 Shooting. This year’s charity partner was Vigilant Watch.
Congratulations to the top three departments that were crowned the overall 2016 Hero Games Champions:
1st Place: Norfolk Sheriff’s Office
2nd Place: Norfolk Fire Department
3rd Place: Virginia Beach Fire Department
“We are proud to have created and hosted an event in partnership with our local first responders that allow us to pay tribute, give thanks and provide an opportunity for camaraderie and teambuilding. These men and women keep our families and communities safe, so it’s important that we take care of the folks that take care of us,” said Lauren Bland, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Sports Commission.
Thank you to the following sponsors for making The 2016 Hero Games a success: Endurance IT Services, United Concordia Dental, Dave & Buster’s, Virginia Beach Psychiatric, Virginia Eye Consultants, UFC Gym, FireRescueTV, Hampton University University College, Ocean Tumblers Max Media, SpeedPro Imaging Virginia Beach, and GEICO.
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