Deployed airman to participate in 2009 U.S. Air Force Marathon
George Neville took part in the Air Force Marathon at Sather AFB in Iraq.
by James Baker
Skywrighter staff
The United States Air Force Marathon has always had a big following from all over the world, with participation from all 50 states and dozens of countries world-wide. George Neville of Robins Air Force Base in Georgia is currently one of those who plan on travelling to Dayton to partake in this year’s Sept. 19 event. The Senior Master Sgt. is currently deployed at Sather Air Force Base in Iraq for six months as a member of the 447th Expeditionary Communications Squadron. Like many others, Neville became involved with the marathon to improve for health reasons, but they weren’t directly his, but his father’s quadruple-bypass surgery in 2005 that pushed him to compete in the annual race.
“I have run the base marathon for the last four years and became an avid marathoner after his surgery,” said Neville. “For my own health concerns with genetically low good cholesterol and after consulting a physician, I learned that aerobic activity for an hour a day, four to five days a week was the best avenue to reduce the risk of heart disease.” Neville said he trained for his first marathon, which at the time was the 9th annual AF Marathon and reached his goal of finishing in under three-and-a-half hours. Since that memorable day, he has competed in and completed 20 full marathons with his best time being 3 hours, 16 minutes. He is determined to reach his goal of under 3:15 at this year’s 13th annual race.
He said training while deployed is a little more challenging due to the surrounding conditions and weather. “Training in Iraq has proven a little more difficult as the longest run trail I have is 8-tenths of a mile and flat. I try to get my hill training on a treadmill, but will have about two solid months upon returning to the States in August. My training at home consists of tempo runs, speed workouts, long slow distance runs and hill work.”
Neville shares his enthusiasm for racing
and keeping fit with his fellow Airmen at Sather Air Force Base in Iraq.
He recently completed a full 26.2 mile run in Sather on a 2.62 mile course that he circled 10 times. He finished that physically demanding race in 3:19:45 and will be awarded a marathon medal from the Pittsburgh Marathon which recognized his feat. “I was very thankful to get the opportunity to complete a marathon here in Iraq,” he said.
In the meantime, he is counting down the days (126 to be exact) until he arrives in Dayton. “I have made the Air Force Marathon, barring any military duty or unforeseen circumstances, the focused event I intend to accomplish every year. This truly is a premier event as the support is outstanding, the camaraderie is incredible and the challenge is moderately difficult. Most of all, the Air Force Marathon is now my tradition.”
To register for the 2009 USAF Marathon that will begin at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, visit www .usafmarathon.com.
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