AMC runners reminded of upcoming AF Marathon

Published July 28, 2009
By Mark Diamond
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility Command officials are reminding AMC runners - both active-duty personnel and civilians -- that the 13th Annual U.S. Air Force Marathon is "right around the corner."

This year's marathon event will be held Sept. 19 at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. In addition to the 26.2-mile marathon course, the event also includes a wheelchair division (consisting of hand-cranked and push-rim divisions), a half marathon, and individual 10K and 5K races. The USAF Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K will be held Sept. 19 at Wright-Patterson, while the 5K race will be held on Sept. 18 at Wright State University.

A Sports and Fitness Expo is held at the Ervin J. Nutter Center, located at Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio, on Sept. 17 from noon to 7 p.m. and Sept. 18 from noon to 8 p.m. Because there is no race day packet pickup, each runner must attend the Sports and Fitness Expo.

According to the deputy director of AMC Manpower, Personnel, and Services, the command is sponsoring an active-duty team -- comprised of both male and female runners representing various age groups -- to compete in the full marathon. This is the third year AMC has fielded a team.

Air Force Marathon officials said a prestigious traveling trophy will be presented to the winning MAJCOM commander during the Fall CORONA. The trophy will be awarded based on a point system that factors in both participation and performance in the full and half marathon events. Race officials said this "friendly challenge" will serve as an incentive for each MAJCOM to encourage participation in the USAF's own nationally-recognized fitness event.

And for AMC personnel deployed to one of four bases in Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar, the U.S. Air Force Marathon has selected a number of overseas race locations this year, including Joint Base Balad, Iraq, on Sept. 11; Sather AB, Iraq, on Sept. 5; Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, on Sept. 13; and Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar, on Sept. 11.

Mr. Clark added that -- in addition to the official AMC Team -- others interested in competing in the Air Force Marathon are encouraged to do. For more information and to sign-up for the race, go to www.usafmarathon.com and follow the instructions.

Although permissive TDY is authorized for Air Force active-duty members (in accordance with Air Force Instruction 36-3003), prospective active-duty runners are reminded they should check with their supervisor before registering for the event. Additionally, in accordance with Joint Travel Regulations, Defense Department guidance and Air Force Instructions, civilian employees cannot be granted permissive TDY to participate in the U.S. Air Force Marathon.

According to Air Force Marathon officials, all levels of runners from around the world participate in Air Force Marathon events. In fact, officials said the race has grown over the years to 7,400 participants in 2008. Officials also said, if the current number of registrations is any indication, this year's marathon may hit the 10,000 participation barrier.

"The Air Force is stressing fitness on all levels from the active duty to civilians," added Marathon Director Molly Louden in a news article for the Wright-Patterson Skywrighter. "Fitness should not stop with the individual who works on base, but should include the entire family."

"This is a participatory event where the elite runner is at the same start line as you. The elite runner is experiencing the same run as you. Each individual has their goal and when they cross the finish line we celebrate with them at the post race festival and finisher's medal presentation." She added that the running industry is one of the few areas that have not been affected by the current struggling financial climate we all face.

"Running or walking and staying healthy are the best thing to do in this type of economy," she added. The hobby of many is also one of the less financially stressful of all activities because there is not much expense to going out and training. A good pair of shoes, running clothes and some water is all you need to get started."

The first official U.S. Air Force Marathon was held on Sept. 20, 1997, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Air Force, and is held in September each year to celebrate the service's birthday. The Air Force became a separate branch of the U.S. Armed Forces on Sept. 18, 1947.

The 26.2-mile marathon course traverses historical places on Wright-Patterson AFB, including the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force Institute of Technology, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, the Wright-Patterson AFB flight line, Huffman Prairie Flying Field, and the Wright Brothers Memorial Monument.

Additionally, to commemorate the service's rich history in flight, each year one aircraft is highlighted during the marathon and on the unique finisher's medal presented to each race participant.

In 2009, the USAF Marathon will feature the RQ-4 Global Hawk. The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system with an integrated sensor suite that provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, capability worldwide. (James Baker, 88th ABW Public Affairs, contributed to this story)