The silent heroes of the West Rand Working On Fire (WOF) teams showed what they are made of at a recent annual fitness competition.

Teams got together at the Coronation Dam to compete against each other in three gruelling tasks, to see who is the best in the West.

Four teams, namely last year’s winners the Krugersdorp team, a team from Wedela near Fochville, the Cradle team and the Muldersdrift team, participated in the competition.

One of the teams on parade.
Photos: Natasha Pretorius.The first competition was a drilling competition where teams had to do difficult drills in sync and on time.

The second competition was a 2,4 km run through the park. What made this especially difficult was the fact that teams consisted of three men and two women. The fastest team won, but the catch was that all five teammates had to be across the finish line for the timer to stop.

It was in this event that you could see the team work between members. Those who did not run supported their teams on the sidelines.

Lastly was the endurance test, an obstacle race in which three women and seven men from each team had to compete against each other.

First they had to pick up two heavy water cans, one in each hand and run with them around a checkpoint and then run back.

Then they had to pick up a fire-hose and carry it as far as they could. When they thought they were close enough, they could the open the hose and use the water to knock over a water can that was a few metres away. The first one to knock over the can was the winner. Then the next two people could compete.

This year’s winners were once again the very talented, very disciplined team from Krugersdorp. The Best Woman of the Day came from the Wedela team, and the Best Man of the Day was part of the Krugersdorp team.

Gerhard Nieuwoudt, Mogale City’s Emergency Service’s Regional station commander said the aim of the day was to have fun and it was all about the spirit of participation.

The day was supported by various emergency personnel and members of Sectors 3 and 4 of the Krugersdorp Community Policing Forum, while the team from Netcare provided ice cold beverages for everyone.
The winning team has the honour of displaying the trophy for the rest of the year.