Air Force Marathon details announced

  • Published
  • By Rachel Castle
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The official USAF Marathon, an official Air Force 60th Anniversary event, will be held here Sept. 15, along with a Sports and Fitness Expo Sept. 13 and 14 at the Nutter Center. Runners from all over the world are expected to participate. Many in the Miami Valley have already commenced training by participating in fun runs, trainings groups and workshops sponsored by local running clubs. 

This year's event promises to be bigger and better than ever with plans in the making which include continuous flyovers, static aircraft displays and proposed course changes to include downtown Fairborn. The 5K race that has traditionally taken place during the Marathon will be held Sept. 14 at Wright State University. 

Senior officials put a custom medal around the neck of every finisher. This year's hardware will feature the C-5 "Galaxy" aircraft, 10 of which are stationed here assigned to Air Force Reserve Command's 445th Airlift Wing. 

BearingPoint, a business and systems integration firm, has joined the USAF Marathon for the 7th year as the Presenting Sponsor. 

World renowned long-distance runners Dick Beardsley and Alberto Salazar, along with legendary coach Bill Squires will sign autographs, conduct clinics, speak at the Gourmet Pasta Dinner and participate in the races on Saturday. Wright-Patterson will also welcome back the United States Air Force marathon and half-marathon PACE Team, led by Jim Crist. 

"Wright-Patterson AFB is very excited to be hosting the 11th year of the official USAF Marathon, and 60th Air Force Anniversary event" said Molly Louden, USAF Marathon director. "We are reaching out on a global level to all 50 states and abroad with a goal of 10,000 total runners in all events. We are already on target with runners signing up early for extra savings online at www.usafmarathon.com.

"With the level of enthusiasm from the base, surrounding communities and the participants, the 11th USAF Marathon will be the best event to date," said Ms. Louden.