USAF Marathon breaks attendance record as weekend events arrive

  • Published
  • By Chris McGee
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  As the 12th annual U.S. Air Force Marathon approaches, the event already has surpassed last year's attendance record and is poised to exceed the 7,000 mark.

Total registration stood at more than 6,900 early Wednesday afternoon. The 2007 marathon drew more than 6,700 total participants for all marathon-related events.

"We're at about 6,905 as of 1 p.m. Wednesday, and more runners continue to sign up," said Molly Louden, marathon director.

The marathon reached the new attendance record despite a powerful wind storm that assaulted the area on Sunday, bringing gusts eclipsing 70 miles per hour that blew down marathon tents already set up and scattered debris along the marathon course.

A team of base volunteers mobilized quickly to pick up the debris and put the tents back up in preparation for the marathon.

Saturday's marathon events include the full marathon, half-marathon, a wheelchair marathon, an individual 10K and a team 10K. Saturday's event times are as follows:

7:10 a.m. Full-marathon opening ceremonies
7:25 a.m. Wheelchair marathon (26.2 miles)
7:30 a.m. Full marathon (26.2 miles)
8:15 a.m. Half-marathon and 10k opening ceremonies
8:30 a.m. 10K team and individual (6.2 miles)
8:30 a.m. Half marathon (13.1 miles)

There will be three different award ceremonies, including one at 10:30 a.m. for 10K team and individual participants, one at noon for half-marathon participants and one at 1 p.m. for full-marathon participants.

For the second straight year, the marathon's 5K will take place the day before the marathon on the Wright State University campus as part of a marathon partnership between the U.S. Air Force and the university. The 5K run will start at 6 p.m. Friday at the Nutter Center, wind its way around the campus and finish at the Nutter Center.

The Sports and Fitness Expo started Thursday at the Nutter Center, running from noon to 7 p.m. and continues on Friday from noon to 8 p.m. The expo will feature runner registration packet pickup, vendors, running clinics and pace team sign-up.

Army Capt. Ivan Castro, a U.S. Army Special Forces runner blinded in Iraq, and Bart Yasso from Runner's World Magazine, will both speak at the expo. Runners who would like to participate in the marathon but have not yet registered may do so at the expo as well.

Marathon officials advise runners to arrive at least one hour before the start of their race. Two gates will be open for runners starting at 5 a.m. Saturday, including the Spinning Road Gate and Harshman Road Gate.

For more information, visit www.usafmarathon.com.