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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio, March 3, 1997 – The first U.S. Air Force marathon, in celebration of the Air Force's 50th anniversary, will be run here Sept. 20. All levels of marathoners, including those in wheelchairs, are invited to participate.
"This September, everyone can challenge airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines, Department of Defense civilians and runners from across America, as well as some famous world-class marathoners, right here on Air Force home turf," said Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Eickmann, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base installation commander and marathon director. "Where better to begin this new tradition than the birthplace, home and future of aviation. The course is 26.2 miles; it will start at Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters and finish at the Air Force Museum on Wright Field. U.S. Track and Field officials are certifying the route. The scenic course will pass Huffman Prairie Flying Field, where Orville and Wilbur Wright honed their flying skills beginning in 1904, and the base flight line, once the site of Wilbur Wright Field, established in 1917. Runners also will pass by static aircraft displays near base operations. The marathon registration form will be available in various runners' magazines and other publications. It also will be available on the Air Force Marathon Web site (http://www.afmarathon.wpafb.af.mil) after March 1. A toll-free number soon will be available for questions not answered by the Web site. Registration is $30 prior to Sept. 1 and $35 thereafter. The fee includes a T-shirt and patch for all registered participants. Those who finish the race will receive a commemorative medallion. Completed forms, with payment and runner's signature, should be mailed to:
USAF Marathon
Building 70
5215 Thurlow, Suite 2
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-5542. The marathon is funded entirely through corporate sponsorship, donations and registration fees. Kathy Stacy, commercial sponsorship coordinator, can be reached at (937) 257- 8220 for more information. The base is also sponsoring a contest to create a slogan for the race. March 7 is the contest deadline at the race World Wide Web site. (Devereaux is a public affairs officer at Wright-Patterson)
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