Record numbers show for marathon
By Brett Turner
Skywrighter Staff, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
September 24, 2004
It was considered a perfect day for a marathon. A record 3.800 runners, 1,800 volunteers and 2,000 spectators responded as Wright-Patterson hosted the eighth annual Air Force Marathon Saturday.
Exciting finishes, repeat winners and a few surprises characterized the event. The marathon offers 26.2-mile race; 13.1-mile half marathon; 26.2-mile relay race in which four people run different parts of the course; a 26.2-mile wheelchair race; and a 5k (3.1-mile) race.
James Bresette of Clinton, Ark., won the 26.2-mile race in two hours, 40 minutes, 55 seconds, nipping defending champion Belgian Hendrik Van Loon's bid for a second straight victory by four seconds. Capt. Jill Metzger of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, repeated as the women's 26.2-mile race champion in 3:06:06, followed by Shannon Moon of Mount Orab in 3:17:07.
Mark Stidham of Austin, Ind., took first in the half marathon in 1:20:21, while Lt. Anne Chumlea of Wright-Patterson won the women's division in 1:27:16.
Grant Berthiaume of Grand Rapids , Mich. , was a first-time champ in the wheelchair race in 2:09:11. Holly Koester continued her streak of victories in the women's division with her seventh win in 3:19:37.
The relay race was topped by team Recce 1 in 2:24:04, while Stars and Stripes, made up of several Wright-Patterson runners, took second in 2:38:07, also good for their second straight masters division title.
Jimmy Haager of Camden was the 5k champion in 16:52, followed by Brian Frederickson of Beavercreek in 17:06. Leslie Steckbeck of Sherwood, Ark., was first in the women's division in 20:18.
The morning began with cool temperatures in the 40s - uncomfortable for spectators, but ideal for runners, as several began the race sleeveless and in shorts. As the day progressed and the sun shined through, things warmed up into a fine summer day.
The event began with an opening ceremony, which included remarks from Col. Andrew K. Weaver, 88 th Air Base Wing Commander; Claude Bolton, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology; and a retired Air Force major general; and Dan Curtis of presenting sponsor BearingPoint.
Gen. Bolton has run in every Air Force Marathon and was here during its creation in 1997. He said coming back each year is an easy decision.
"It's a very well organized race, a challenging course, organizations at every mile urging the runners on and supporting them and it's a fantastic place to be," he said. "It's grown quite a bit. There are a lot of different events for people to participate in. It keeps growing, every year I'll continue running it."
The starting line was on Loop Road in Area B. The course goes through Area B, past Wight State University , continuing to Areas A and C, including the area where the Wright brothers did test flights, and back through Area B, where runners pass the Air Force Museum and historic static aircraft down the chute to the finish line.
Runners who finished the race or their leg of the relay received a commemorative medal and towel. Those coming across the finish line received medals from base dignitaries.
A patriotic feeling loomed as several runners held American flags as they finished. Deployed members were recognized in a moment of silence in the opening ceremonies, and numerous runners and teams with military affiliation participated.
Marathon officials said there were participants from 48 states and 48 countries. Ages ranged form the youngest at 3 to the oldest at 87.
The runners were supported by aid stations at every mile, and there was roughly one volunteer for every two runners. Such service is considered one of the hallmarks of the event.
More than 80 awards were given out to top finishers in an afternoon ceremony.
"I'm just amazed by the number of people," said Col. Weaver. "We were really lucky for the weather. We sweated it about the hurricane, but I'm told marathon runners will go at any time unless there is lightening.
"I'm pleased with the Services team, appreciative of the sponsors and, as always, I thank the volunteers. Without the volunteers this wouldn't be possible. It's intimidating to see how much exertion each runner brings across (the finish line) but I'm impressed with each and every one."
Marathon results are available on the marathon web site at http://afmarathon.wpabf.af.mil. The ninth annual Air Force Marathon will be Sept. 17, 2005.