The sun was barely up on the unseasonably cool morning Sunday as around 200 bicyclists from the base and the community gathered at Russell Elementary School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico for the 2014 Cranky Monkey, a mountain biking race that covered 8.5 strenuous miles, looping up, down and around the hilly mainside campus.

The race was coordinated by Quantico’s Mountain Bike Club and EX2 Adventures of Fairfax, Va., said Brandon Farley, president of QMBC.

Racers were slotted in heats with other riders with similar skills, ages and gender. Beginners raced in waves once around the course. Intermediate riders made two laps and the experienced riders took three.

Cycling in general, and mountain biking specifically, are seen as good alternatives to running, according to an undated article in Men’s Health magazine. "Mountain biking is … a real-deal aerobic exercise, meaning you get most of the same benefits as running, just without all that … running. It also spreads impact between your arms, legs and buttocks, helping to preserve your knees."

The base commander agrees: Col. David W. Maxwell, who was on hand to serve as the starter for the early waves of riders, said that this race is "like a marathon, just a different part of fitness. Plus it fits in with our healthy base initiative."

Maxwell also praised the QMBC for all the work they have done to help maintain the trails on the base. The club also works with the community outside of the gates.

"We love coming here," said Jim Harmon, race director from EX2. "We get good support from the Marines. They’re on the ball, on time and super helpful."