NASIC 'ALIENS' voted best hydration station for second year

  • Published
  • By Tiffany Johnson
  • Air Force Marathon
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The 2012 Air Force Marathon runners have voted and named the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) hydration station as the best for 2012. This is the second year in a row that the NASIC-sponsored station has won. Runners are invited to vote for their favorite station after the September event.

The hydration station volunteers dressed up as aliens and welcomed runners to 'NASIC's Alien Nation'. They also had a full-sized R2-D2 at their station.

"The runners really enjoy the hydration station themes every year," said Volunteer Coordinator Jeanette Monaghan. "It really keeps the energy of the runners up on the course."

The winning hydration station is treated to a luncheon each year, sponsored by TGI Friday's. The luncheon was held on February 6, 2013.

"The Alien theme for the NASIC hydration station was initially chosen due to Wright-Patt's popularity among UFO researchers," said Master Sgt. Sally Moore, the station captain.

It is Sgt. Moore's second year with the NASIC hydration station and she credits the volunteers who manned the station with its success.

"We've never had a three-time winner," said Race Director Rob Aguiar at the luncheon. "I challenge you to win this again in 2013."

Sergeant Moore's favorite part was the runners.

"There were runners motivating us at the same time as we were trying to motivate them," she said. "Even though they may have been tired from the miles of running, they were clapping, waving, wearing costumes, and thanking us. This was such an inspiration for all of the volunteers."

The second place hydration station was the HQ Air Force Materiel Command A2/5 and A4 sponsored station at mile 18.2. Hydration station volunteers dressed as Elvis. Station B won third place with a zombie theme and was manned by Air Force Institute of Technology and Communications Group volunteers.

The 2013 Air Force Marathon will be held September 21, the third Saturday in September.