17th Air Force Marathon kicked off at Wright-Patt

  • Published
  • By Brian Brackens
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (AFNS) --  Runners from across the country and around the world competed in the 2013 U.S. Air Force Marathon Sept. 21 here.

Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center commander welcomed runners and spectators to the 17th annual event.

"This year we have 15,000 participants in various races and over 2,500 runners participating with you virtually at eight deployed locations around the world, and they are with you in thoughts and sweat," Moore said. "During the race you will have the opportunity to traverse grounds that cover over 100 years of aviation history dating back to the early days of the Wright brothers. Enjoy your jog through history, do your best, stay safe and have fun!"

The three-day event started Sept. 19 with a Sports and Fitness Expo held at the Ervin J. Nutter Center on the campus of Wright State University. The expo highlighted exhibits on the latest in sports, fitness, health and nutrition.

Additional prerace activities included a training clinic and speaker's panel with 1972 Olympian and best-selling author Jeff Galloway and a gourmet pasta dinner held at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Marathon participants had the option of competing in the full marathon, a half-marathon, and 10K, as well as a wheeled division. The 5K event was cancelled due to inclement weather.

This year's men full marathon winner was James Beyer from Dayton, Ohio.

"The race was great," Beyer said. "What I really enjoyed was running the course and seeing all of the military members in their uniforms. This is the only race I wear the USA jersey because it's been really patriotic for me to be able to participate."

Michelle Farr from Medina, Ohio, was the women's full marathon winner.

"I teach high school track and cross country," Farr said. "One of my former students is a member of the Air Force, and while I was running I was thinking of him and how proud he would be that I won the race. But my accomplishment is nothing compared to the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform."

The Air Force Marathon is sanctioned by the USA Track & Field Association and is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Winners are listed below. All times were unofficial at the time of this release:

--Men's full marathon: James Beyer, 46, Dayton, Ohio, 2:35:47

--Men's full marathon overall active military winner: Joseph Czabaranek, 28, Shalimar, Fla., 2:41:56

--Women's full marathon: Michelle Farr, 40, Medina, Ohio, 3:04:44

--Women's full marathon overall active military winner: Sarah Auer, 23, Colorado Springs, Colo., 3:05:04

--Men's full marathon, crank wheelchair division: Brad Baumann, 40, Zeeland, Mich., 1:29:03

--Women's full marathon, crank wheelchair division: Holly Koester, 53, Walton Hills, Ohio, 2:20:36

--Men's full marathon, rim wheelchair division: Grant Berthiaume, 51, Tucson, Ariz., 2:14:27

-- Men's half marathon: Jim Walmsley, 23, Great Falls, Mont., 1:08:08

-- Men's half marathon overall active military winner: Jim Walmsley, 23, Great Falls, Mont., 1:08:08

-- Women's half marathon: Emily Shertzer, 33, Jonestown, Pa., 1:20:46

-- Women's half marathon overall active military winner: Emily Shertzer, 33, Jonestown, Pa., 1:20:46

-- Men's 10K individual: Christoph Cikraji, 14, Durango, Colo., 35:46

-- Men's 10K overall active military winner: Ryan Hoff, 26, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, 38:10

-- Women's 10k individual: Darcy Mascotti, 22, Bellbrook, Ky., 37:04

-- Women's 10K overall active military winner: Ana Velez, 37, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, 57:51