AFRC takes home its first Marathon MAJCOM Challenge

  • Published
  • By Josh Aycock
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Air Force Reserve Command was announced as the winner of the 2010 Air Force Marathon MAJCOM Challenge winner recently at CORONA Fall topping the service's list of major commands.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the coveted trophy to Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, AFRC commander, in front of a crowd of the Air Force's senior leadership at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The presentation has become a staple of the annually held conference that enables senior Air Force civilian and military leadership to gather for frank, open discussion about the service.

"We're elated about the performance of our Reserve Airmen during the MAJCOM Challenge this year," said Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, Jr., AFRC commander. "While this was an impressive showing, it would only be fair of me to warn the other commands of what's in store for next year. I believe a repeat performance in 2011 is well within our grasp."

The 14th annual Air Force Marathon was the fourth time the travelling trophy was presented to the commander of one of the Air Force's 11 MAJCOMs and the first time AFRC has won. The MAJCOM Challenge serves as a service-wide friendly competition that challenges each MAJCOM to encourage their Airmen to stay "Fit to Fight." The challenge is open to active-duty and activated Guard and Reserve service members.

The competition is based on a point system which factors in both participation and performance in both the full- and half-marathon events and determines which major command in the Air Force has the best long-distance runners.

"This is just another fun way that we can help all our Airmen stay healthy," said Molly Louden, Air Force Marathon director. "It also gives the winning MAJCOM something to brag about for an entire year."

The yearly 26.2 mile run traverses aviation's history at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, including the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the Air Force Institute of Technology, Headquarters Air Force Material Command, the WPAFB flightline, Huffman Prairie Flying Field and the Wright Brothers Memorial.

"Our race field is growing every year, so each year the MAJCOM challenge becomes just that much more prestigious," said Mrs. Louden.

The 15th annual Air Force Marathon is scheduled for Sept. 17, 2011. For more information on the Air Force Marathon and the surrounding events, visit www.usafmarathon.com.