An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

First officially sanctioned Air Force Marathon draws runners, base community

  • Published
  • By Brett Turner
  • 88th ABW Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFMCNS) --  Eyes are usually trained on the skies at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Saturday saw attention focused on the ground as the ninth annual U. S. Air Force Marathon was run.

There were 3,454 runners from all 50 U.S. states and seven countries who finished the race, surrounded by aviation and U.S. Air Force history. This was the first year the marathon was recognized as an officially sanctioned Air Force event.

The marathon was created to tie in with the 50th anniversary of the creation of the U. S. Air Force in 1997 and is run on the Saturday nearest the anniversary of Sept. 18 every year. Several Airmen responded by doing their service proud, winning overall races.

The day began under gray, overcast skies -- perfect weather according to many runners. Participants were also aided by nearly 1,800 volunteers and aid stations at every mile along the marathon route and at the finish-line area.

Wright-Patterson, as host, was represented by Col. Andrew K. Weaver, 88th Air Base Wing commander and Steve Carlyon, 88th Services Division director. Senior leaders were Gen. Bruce Carlson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, Maj. Gen. John Hudson, Aeronautical Systems Center commander; retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Claude Bolton, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology. Dan Curtis of the marathon’s main sponsor, BearingPoint; and running legends and marathon guests Bill Rodgers and Alberto Salazar completed the official party.

There were no wheelchair participants this year. Holly Koester, who has won every wheelchair female division race at the marathon in past years, was the only registered participant, but bowed out due to injury.

The full 26.2-mile race began the day at 7:35 a.m., followed by the four-person relay race teams then the 13.1-mile half marathon race. A 5k (3.1-mile) race was later in the day.

Hendrik Vanloon, of the Belgian air force, became the second man to claim two overall marathon wins, finishing in an unofficial time of two hours 41 minutes 16.30 seconds. He won the 26.2-mile race in 2003 and was second last year by just four seconds.

All finishing times are unofficial, according to marathon organizers. Final official results will be posted online.

Wright-Patterson’s Lt. Col. Mike Michno took second place overall and was the men’s military winner in 2:45:35. He was seventh in the initial 26.2-mile race in 1997.

Capt. Kori Delwiche, of McGuire AFB, N.J., won the women’s race, upsetting two-time defending champion Capt. Jill Metzger, in 3:02:31, and was 29th overall. Captain Metzger, who is stationed at Moody AFB, Ga., took second overall for women in 3:06:38.

Captain Delwiche, who did the marathon for the first time since 1999, is the fourth Air Force woman to win the women’s overall division. She follows Lori Eppard in 1997; Heidi McKenna in 1998; and Captain Metzger in 2003 and 2004.

Second Lt. William Bohlke, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands and a member of the Air National Guard team, took the half marathon race in 1:11:47. Senior Airman Rebecca Oldenhouse, of Robins AFB, Ga., won the women’s half marathon in 1:30:15.

The National Guard Stars and Stripes relay team won its race in 2:31:05. Airman 1st Class Brett Still of Shaw AFB, S.C., won the overall 5k race in 15:34.31, and Kelly Donahue, of Fairborn, took the women’s division in 20:45.51.

The relay race got a boost this year with Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Salazar participating in the first leg. Both gave lectures and signed autographs at the marathon’s sports and fitness expo and later spoke at the annual pasta dinner the night before the race.

The U. S. Air Force Marathon is about much more than who finishes first. Many enter just to see if they can finish.

No matter what level of skill, the runners found cheering throngs at many points along the route. The runners’ chute, near the National Museum of the U. S. Air Force to the finish line, was lined with spectators at the sidelines cheering the finishers home.

Some had family and friends join in with them, holding hands, struggling, smiling. They then received what some consider the best award anybody can receive at such a race -- a medallion for their particular race, awarded by a base official or one of the sponsors.

The runners were then given other commemorative gifts, heat wraps, medical attention or food if so desired. Such attention to service has gained the U. S. Air Force Marathon attention as one of the best customer service races out there, according to race director Molly Louden.

This year’s race included several Reserve Officers Training Corps members, who have their own race category: running in full boots and backpacks, some the full race, others the half marathon. One of the biggest attention grabbers was Harry Sober, of Kettering, who ran the full 26.2 miles in a Star Wars stormtrooper outfit.

It took him seven hours 32 minutes 22 seconds, but Sober finished the race in his four pounds worth of armor and gear.

(Editor’s note: Full race results are available at http://afmarathon.wpafb.af.mil/. The 10th annual U. S. Air Force Marathon will be Sept. 16, 2006.)