Team Grand Forks breezes through the race

  • Published
  • By Capt. Joseph Maxon, 319th Operations Group and 2nd Lt. Joseph Schenkel,
  • 911th Air Refueling Squadron
Grand Forks AFB, ND --  A KC-135 departed Grand Forks Air Force Base for Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Sept. 15. On board were 30 motivated, active duty and dependent athletes focused on the intimidating task ahead of them. The 10th annual Air Force Marathon would begin at 7:30 the next morning. 

The group is comprised of runners from several locations; Grand Forks, Minot, Cavalier and the 342nd Recruiting Station at Fort Snelling, Minn. Four runners were competing in the full marathon, thirteen in the half marathon; two in the 5K; and 3 teams participated in the marathon relay. For most of the runners, this was their first time racing in an event of this size. The excitement in the group was readily apparent as they walked onto the ramp. They would be joining 5,000 other runners -- the largest group hosted by the Air Force Marathon committee since the race's inception in 1996. 

The course for the full and half marathon meanders through the vast complex of Wright Patterson AFB. It begins with a climb for the first mile and a half, followed by 22 miles winding through the countryside and flightline of the base. During the last two and a half miles, runners endure another climb, a true test of will after having come so far. 

"When you see that hill at the 23-mile-point, you can't believe that anyone could be so cruel to put that challenge so close to the end ...," said Lt Col Paul Schultz, 905th Air Refueling Squadron commander. 

It was not a surprise to see many runners that had been steadily running for 23 miles, suddenly begin walking in the face of the daunting challenge. 

Most runners never attempt a full marathon and those who have successfully completed one will tell you that it is an exhilarating experience. 

"The feeling of accomplishment was like walking on air, it was an amazing rush to cross that finish line," said Captain Maxon, 319th Operations Group. 

"If you think about it, less than .01 percent of the world's population has ever run a marathon," said Colonel Schultz, putting it in perspective. 

All race attendees from the Grand Forks region successfully met the challenge they had traveled to overcome. All are back at work after recovering from the challenge of the past weekend, and many are looking forward to next year's competition.