Xplosive Fitness will host its first Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 15, in historic downtown Hinesville. The owner, Coach Che Cason, said the 5K is for all levels. People are encouraged to sign up and walk, skip, run, jog or dance the 3.2 mile course.
Cason said the date of the event coincides with the one year anniversary of his fitness center on E.G. Miles Parkway.
Cason, retired military, said owning a fitness facility has been a dream of his. His wife Latonia, was about to retire from the military as well but instead stayed after receiving a promotion.
“So we moved here when she was placed at Fort Stewart and I was able to live out my dream and open a fitness center,” Cason said. “I traded being an army medic to being a full time fitness trainer.”
Cason said he would train folks on a part-time basis while he was fulfilling his military career and duties. But now that he’s settled into his new career with Xplosive Fitness Cason said he wants to get more involved with hosting community 5Ks to help others.
“We come from the D.C. Baltimore area and we are used to running a lot of 5Ks,” he said. “We were surprisedto find there wasn’t an annual 5K around the holidays. But we found out there was already a permitted route, we didn’t need to reinvent the wheel and it is going to be a fun event with the emphasis on fun.”
Cason said he has always been into fitness but he stressed that people need to feel good about the exercise programs they select.
He said people don’t make exercise or diet a priority until the doctor tells them to or something happens where they are forced to do it.
“Everybody is on their own individual journey…if it seems like it is work or tedious you might need to find something else,” he said. “Find your reason for why you want to do it and make it your own.”
He said the key is to be consistent, not just with exercise, but with food choices, hydrations and sleep. Cason and Xplosive Fitness was recently selected as the Best Fitness and Training Center in the 2018 Best of Liberty Contest.
He said they currently have 75 people registered for the run. Their goal is to hit 100. And he added he has more races in the planning stages.
‘People are responding to it very well,” Cason said. “And our next one is being planned for March called the Shamrock Shuffle. Our goal is to do one every quarter.”
Registrations is open for the event and the fee is $25 which includes a back-pack, race bib, T-shirt and finishers medal. Race packets will be available for pick up Dec. 13 and 14 at Xplosive Fitness. Patrons can pick up a race packet or register for the event before the start of the race at 8 a.m.
The fun beings at 9 a.m. and Cason said there will be a few dignitaries on hand. After the event there will be music. Snacks will also be provided by Panera Bread, an event sponsor. Awards will be given out after the race. A portion of the proceeds from the Reindeer Run will benefit a local charity. To register, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/323929921716750/.