Fireworks were also added to the start of each of the day’s races.
This year marks the 23rd annual running of the Air Force Marathon, starting and ending at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Sept. 21.
Each of the runners has his or her reasons for running hundreds of miles to train for and participate in fitness events like the Air Force Marathon, and the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein spoke with the crowd about his reasons for running and the name he carried on a bracelet.
“I’m running for a couple of groups today. First, I’m running for all those Airmen we’ve lost over the many years and their families, especially Staff Sgt. Dylan Elchin, who we lost in 2018, a special tactics combat controller,” said the general. “The second group I’m running for is our command teams, and this is our flight commanders, squadron commanders, group commanders, wing commanders and their Senior NCO teammates. Because if you’re part of a command team in the United States Air Force, you’re fit. We should never ask Airmen to do what we would never do ourselves. And I will tell you as chief, I’m not going to ask you to do something that I’m not willing to do myself. So I’m looking forward to seeing you out on the course.”
Goldfein finished the half-marathon alongside the Air Force Materiel Command’s commander and command chief master sergeant, Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr. and Chief Master Sgt. Stanley Cadell, respectively.
The marathon also drew a range of fitness participants, ranging from entire families in some of the shorter races, to the Air Force’s top male competitor from the third annual Air Force Alpha Warrior Final Battle, Capt. Noah Patricia, a C-130J instructor pilot from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and teams from each Air Force major command.
The Guard team featured Tech Sgt. Emily Shertzer, an oboe player with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s Band of the Northeast. For her, fitness and training for races is a constant effort.
“I try to hit 50 miles a week, and I try to run five days a week,” said Shertzer. “Years ago when I was running fast and hitting good times, winning races, it was fun and rewarding to do it. Now I like doing it with the team, so it’s a team thing.”
Shertzer won first place for women in the half-marathon and is a four-time winner now in this category.
The full marathon course also runs through several local communities, including the city of Fairborn and the Wright State University’s campus, which close roads and host events for the marathon’s 25,000 participants, volunteers and spectators.
“Elite runners have come from all 50 states and 15 countries to join us, and it’s incredibly exciting,” said Brandon Hough, race director, U.S. Air Force Marathon, and a finisher in the 5K race. “There’s no other race where you’re going to run 20-plus miles through an active duty installation, be greeted at the beginning with a flyover from actual Air Force aircraft to getting your medal at the finish from a general or a chief master sergeant. So from start to finish, it’s just very unique with the military, and it’s an experience you can’t find at another large city marathon.”
Planning is already underway for the 24th annual U.S. Air Force Marathon, which will be Sept. 19, 2020.
(glancebox)
2019 Air Force Marathon winners
(All times are unofficial at the time of this writing)
Men’s Full Marathon Overall, Individual: Juris Silenieks, Bath Twp., Ohio – 2:22:37
Women’s Full Marathon, Individual: Ann Alyanak, Bellbrook, Ohio – 2:52:17
Men’s Full Marathon, Crank Wheelchair Division: David Berling, Avondale, Arizona – 1:13:54
Women’s Full Marathon, Crank Wheelchair Division: Holly Koester, Walton Hills, Ohio – 1:57:29
Men’s Full Marathon, Push-Rim Wheelchair Division: Joey Gibbs, Ocala, Florida – 2:14:15
Women’s Full Marathon, Push-Rim Wheelchair Division: Jenna Fesemyer, Champaign, Illinois – 2:14:15
Men’s Half Marathon, Individual: Jason Salyer, Columbus, Ohio – 1:12:58
Women’s Half Marathon, Individual: Tech Sgt. Emily Shertzer, Jonestown, Pennsylvania – 1:23:14
Men’s 10K, Individual: Daniel Garza, Dearborn, Michigan – 33:22
Women’s 10K, Individual: Maria Scavuzzo, Oxford, Ohio – 36:37
Men’s 5K, Individual: Justin Weckler, Xenia, Ohio – 18:14
Women’s 5K, Individual: 1st Lt. Maria Stephens, Beavercreek, Ohio – 18:49
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