JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Team Charleston service members raced in a monthly Morale, Welfare and Recreation challenge known as the Road Rage at JB Charleston - Weapons Station, Jan. 25.

The Road Rage is held the last Wednesday of every month and is a five kilometer race that starts outside of Sam's Gym and winds through base housing.

"MWR promotes exercise in order to get people into shape and the 5k is a good exercise," said MWR Fitness Trainer Edie Foley. "We love having a good turnout. The 5K is a great opportunity for the participants to receive a beneficial workout."

Running a 5k can have positive effects for an individual, both physically and psychologically. Physical benefits include strengthening the heart, lowering blood pressure and creating new white blood cells to improve the immune system; psychological benefits include boosting self-confidence, reducing stress and improving your overall mood.

"The 5k is a good challenge and it improves fitness while giving Sailors and Airmen more energy and a better focus for the day ahead of them," said Master Chief Petty Officer Billy Cady, Naval Support Activity command master chief. Cady finished the Road Rage in a time of 24:01 to take first place.

"One of the side benefits of this monthly event is its ability to measure our service member's fitness," said Cady. "With the upcoming Physical Fitness Assessment, Sailors need to understand where they need to improve."

Petty Officer 2nd Class April Butler, the first place finisher for the female participants, improved her own personal best time to 34:14 in the race.

"When I first arrived at this command I was struggling to finish these races, but now I'm in much better shape," said Butler, a Ship's Serviceman assigned to the JB Charleston - Weapons Station Unaccompanied Personnel Housing. "Running the monthly 5ks has helped me. We do it so often that when the PFA comes up, I have no trouble passing the mile and half run."

A racing atmosphere is also motivational because it increases competiveness and encourages socializing which isn't available when working out alone.

"The idea behind events like the Road Rage is to keep our service members motivated about working out," said Foley. "Whenever individuals get together to work out they are more motivated because they can compete against each other. It makes fitness more fun and enjoyable."