Kara Storage receives her trophy from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Gen. Donald Hoffman (right), commander of Air Force Materiel Command, for winning the women's half marathon Sept. 17, 2011. Storage also set a new course record with a time of 1:15:56. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michelle Gigante)
Josh Cox, current course record holder for the full Air Force Marathon, finishes first in the 10K race. Cox not only finished first, but also set a new course record for the 10K at 31:09. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ted Theopolos)
Christine Tieman of Bellbrook, Ohio, establishes a new mark for the 10K in the women’s division, running the race in 39:35. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michelle Gigante)
Catherine Graham of Lafayette, Ind., crosses the finish line for the women’s 5K, setting a new record with a time of 19:14. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michelle Gigante)
9/21/2011 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- Along with a record field of runners, the 2011 Air Force Marathon saw a total of five course records bested on September 17.
Race officials credit the "phenomenal" weather as helping get the best efforts from runners.
"We really had ideal conditions on Race Day," said Molly Louden, Air Force Marathon Director. "The weather also helped bring out more spectators and many runners credited the cheering crowds with pushing them further."
Kara Storage from nearby Beavercreek strode in at 1:15:56 in the Women's half marathon eclipsing the previous record of 1:18:20 set in 2010 by Christine Johnston.
There were three new records set on the 10K course.
Josh Cox, who already holds the USAF full Marathon course record, entered his name in the books for the overall Men's 10K with a 31:09. The old record was held by David Johnston with a 32:37 in 2008.
The Military Men's 10K record was set by Maj. James Bales of Monument, Colo., with a 32:14. Kristoffer Chacon previously held this mark with a 33:11 that he ran in 2008.
Christine Tieman of Bellbrook also broke a 10K record in the Women's division running a 39:35. The previous record in this division was set by Varinka Barbini with a 39:49 in 2009.
The 5K race on Sept. 16 at Wright State University also had one record broken.
Finally, Catherine Graham of Lafayette, Ind., set a new record for the Women's 5K with a time of 19:14 topping the previous mark of 19:31 set by Dianne Striebel in 2009.
