Racers finish inaugural Museum Mile! Winners announced

  • Published
  • By Darrius Parker
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Runners and walkers gathered on May 11 to compete in the first ever Museum Mile hosted by the Air Force Marathon office in honor of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force’s 100th anniversary.

“We are so excited to introduce a new event this year,” said Rachael Ferguson, Air Force Marathon Director. “A mile is a unique distance not many get the chance to use as a race, and we are thrilled to celebrate the 100 years of the museum.”

Over 300 competitors took part in three separate mile-long races, including the open race, women’s elite race and men’s elite race. The course for these races travelled through the museum grounds before finishing under the wing tips of the C-17 Globemaster III at the air park.

“Running on the base is different because it brings something special by seeing all of the American flags, the aircraft flying over us, and the hype that comes with being part of an Air Force Marathon event,” said Katie Ruhlman, marathon runner and first place athlete in the women’s elite race. “Being in the midst of all this makes me feel really proud to be an American and makes me feel like I’m doing something special.”

Each participant who crossed the finish line received a limited-edition inaugural Museum Mile pint glass after the race.

Following all three races, athletes who placed in 27th, 76th and 100th during the open race received awards to commemorate 27 years of the Air Force Marathon, 76 years of the Air Force, and 100 years of the NMUSAF.

Also, the top three athletes for both the women’s and men’s elite races were awarded gift cards during the awards ceremony. Below are the names and times for the top three runners in those races:

Women’s Elite Race

1st: Katie Ruhlman, 5:22

2nd: Sarah Gwaltney, 5:31

3rd: Sarah Kittle, 5:37   

Men’s Elite Race

1st: Dominic Colussi, 4:55

2nd: Collin Gwaltney, 4:59

3rd: Jaden Vorhis, 5:01

Dominic Colussi finishes first in the Men’s Elite race during the inaugural Museum Mile event hosted by the Air Force Marathon Office May 11 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio.

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Dominic Colussi finishes first in the Men’s Elite race during the inaugural Museum Mile event hosted by the Air Force Marathon Office May 11 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio. Roughly 400 participants ran the 1-mile family-friendly course that wound through the museum grounds before finishing under the wingtips of a historic aircraft at the Air Park. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)
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Katie Ruhlman (left), first place winner of the Women’s Elite race, and Rachael Ferguson (right), Air Force Marathon Office director, pose for a photo at the finish line at the inaugural Museum Mile event hosted by the Air Force Marathon Office May 11 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio.

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Katie Ruhlman (left), first place winner of the Women’s Elite race, and Rachael Ferguson (right), Air Force Marathon Office director, pose for a photo at the finish line at the inaugural Museum Mile event hosted by the Air Force Marathon Office May 11 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio. Roughly 400 participants ran the 1-mile family-friendly course that wound through the museum grounds before finishing under the wingtips of a historic aircraft at the Air Park. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)
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Runners finish the Open Race while a Globemaster III C-17 flies overhead during the inaugural Museum Mile event hosted by the Air Force Marathon Office May 11 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio.

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Runners finish the Open Race while a Globemaster III C-17 flies overhead during the inaugural Museum Mile event hosted by the Air Force Marathon Office May 11 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio. Roughly 400 participants ran the 1-mile family-friendly course that wound through the museum grounds before finishing under the wingtips of a historic aircraft at the Air Park. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)
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Racers interested in the 2023 Air Force Marathon, which is set for Sept. 14-16, still have the opportunity to register for the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, three-person marathon relay, Tailwind Trot 1K Kids Run, Fly! Fight! Win! Challenge Series and virtual races.

For more information and to register for the September race weekend, visit www.usafmarathon.com.

For a list of event fees and the price schedule, go to www.usafmarathon.com/event-pricing.