Air Force Marathon to host free training clinics Published April 12, 2012 WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Runners of all levels are invited to attend a free running clinic with the Air Force Marathon's chief medical consultant and two-time winner, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella. Cucuzzella's focus this year will be "Elements of an Efficient Runner - Experience Healthier and More Enjoyable Running". The clinics are held every year in April to coincide with the beginning of the training season for the Air Force Marathon. Many marathon runners follow a 16-week training regimen, and Dr. Cucuzzella's clinics remind them to start their training program with good form. This year's clinics will be offered on April 24, at 6 p.m. at the New Balance Dayton Store in the Town and Country Shopping Center, 304 E. Stroop Road in Kettering. A second clinic will be offered on April 25, at 6 p.m. at the new Up and Running store in Troy, 12 S. Market St. Marathon officials stressed that you do not need to be registered for the Air Force Marathon in order to attend the clinics. "A lot of people are daunted by the prospect of running 26.2 miles," said Molly Louden, race director. "They may just be looking to be able to run a 5K, and that's fine. Once people learn proper running form and can run without injury, they start to enjoy the sport more and start thinking about tackling longer distances." Dr. Cucuzzella is a Family Physician and Associate Professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine. As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves, he is designing programs to reduce running injuries in military personnel. He will be conducting additional clinics at Wright-Patterson for base personnel. The Air Force Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifying event and the course goes past a number of historic landmarks including Huffman Prairie where the Wright Brothers perfected manned flight. For more information or to register for the Air Force Marathon, visit http://www.usafmarathon.com. ---------------------------------------------------- The Air Force Marathon, presented by Northrop Grumman, USAA and Boeing, will be held Sept. 15 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Participants start and finish at the National Air Force Museum, and spectators are welcome at the museum or in downtown Fairborn. Other events include a half marathon and 10K to be held on the 15th. The Air Force 5K hosted by Wright State University will be run on Sept. 14 at the Wright State University Nutter Center. The Sports and Fitness Expo will also be held at the Nutter Center on Sept. 13-14.