Whiteman Airmen to compete in AF Marathon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Torey Griffith
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Several Whiteman Airmen are scheduled to compete in the 13th annual U.S. Air Force Marathon. 

The marathon began in 1997 to commemorate the Air Force's 50th anniversary, and takes place at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. This year, Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, is scheduled to attend the full marathon on Sept. 19, marking the first time the service' s most senior officer will attend the event. 

Participants will take part in one of five events, ranging from a 5k, 10k, half marathon (13.1 miles), full marathon (26.2 miles) and a wheelchair marathon. 

Master Sgt. Steven Kish, 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, is making the marathon a family event. He will trek to Ohio pulling his camper and will run the full marathon. 

Sergeant Kish has run several events this summer including a 50k run in Kansas and "a couple of triathlons," all while on a strict diet. 

"My favorite training meal is Hawaiian pizza from Papa Murphy's and Fat Tire Belgian Style Ale," he said. 

Another Whiteman runner, Staff Sgt. Heath York, from the 509th Maintenance Group, will run the half marathon. 

"This was a goal I set for myself at the beginning of the year, and I plan on following through with it," he said. "It's hard to believe that after training and waiting for months, it's only a few days away." 

Sergeant York has a creative way to make the training miles go by quickly. He likes to run the hiking trails at Knob Noster State Park. 

"That helps out a lot mentally because you're so concentrated on the trail, ... trying not to trip or break your ankle," he said. 

"You end up running six miles, and it actually feels like you've only ran about one, maybe two miles at the most," he said. 

Capt. Anthony Davis, 509th Medical Operations Squadron, is slated to run the half marathon as well. 

"I regularly train five days a week, but before a race I increase the amount of miles weekly, incorporating a long run each week, which could be 6-10 miles," Capt. Davis said. 

"... I will say that I was never a runner, in fact I hated running," he continued, "Several years ago my mother lost her leg to a disease and her entire life changed. She had a zest for life and even in her 70s was more active than folks in their 20s. Watching her struggle made it clear to me that I needed to appreciate life and the abilities I had, one being able to walk and run. After her death I ran a marathon in her memory and at the same time I ran it so I could cope with her passing. I found out that I love running and now run for myself and really enjoy it." 

This year's marathon is anticipated to be a record-breaking year with over ten thousand entries expected, according to the event's official website, www.usafmarathon.com. As runners gear-up for the event, each with his or her own personal motivation and vigorous training regiment, all are looking forward to the competition.