New records set at U.S. Air Force Marathon
News Release,
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
88th Air Base Wing Office of Public Affairs
Air Force Materiel Command
September 16, 2006
By Rachel Castle
88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio - New wheelchair and male half-marathon records were set today at the U.S. Air Force Marathon, an official Air Force Services function, held today at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton , Ohio .
Forty-five year-old wheelchair racer Glen Ashlock broke the previous record by more than twelve minutes, finishing in 1:47:06. Female wheelchair winner was Monica Szymanski at 3:08:16.
Setting a new record in the male half-marathon race was 25 year-old Derrick Butler, coming in at 1:09:03. Caitlin Reese took top honors in the female half-marathon division and was also the top female military winner with a time of 1:22:20.
Air Force Running Team member Mark Cucuzzella crossed the finish line at 2:31:47, earning his first marathon title and also top male military honors; while Michelle Elliott, finishing the full marathon at 3:17:48, won the female division. Top military female was Rendi Everhart with a time of 3:26:39.
Coming in first in the relay division was the National Guard Stars with a time of 2:35:21. Special relay participants included four 88 th Air Base Wing Security Forces Members who crossed the finish line together with two of the working dogs stationed at Wright-Patterson.
Finishing up the events in the 5k race was male winner Eric Petersen with a time of 17:13 and female winner Gabrielle Beal at 21:37, as two A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" aircraft performed a flyover. The A-10 was this year's tribute craft and was featured on the official event patch and medal given to all participants.
There were more than 5,000 runners registered for the race, the largest held since the event's inception in 1997. Seventy-one racers were honored as "ten-year runner" special guests for participating in all Air Force marathons at Wright-Patterson. There was even a marriage proposal at the end of the race when U.S. Marine Isaac Pacheco crossed the finish line with his girlfriend, got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. She said yes as spectators cheered.
For complete results, visit www.usafmarathon.com. Note - times listed are unofficial.
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Contact: 88 ABW Public Affairs, 937-522-3520.