Participants run during the Air Force Marathon at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 15, 2012. The participants were able to run a 10K, half or full marathon race in conjunction with the Air Force Marathon in Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
9/15/2012 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (AFNS) -- The 2012 running of the Air Force Marathon was the largest ever and sold out in record time.
The race has grown to a field of more than 15,000 runners, doubling in size since 2008, representing all 50 states, 15 countries, all military services, and a diversity that included world-class marathoners, spirited amateurs and those running their first marathon ever.
Participants had the choice of competing in the full marathon, a half marathon, 5K and 10K runs, as well as a wheeled division.
The 16th annual running event was opened by Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, Air Force Materiel Command commander. The general reminded those gathered that the running of the 10K, half and full marathon race was only three days before the U.S. Air Force's 65th birthday Sept. 18.
"This course traverses historical sites that will take you over, around and through more than 100 years of aviation of history," Wolfenbarger said. "These skies above you are truly sacred, so don't forget to look up".
Runners and spectators were treated to a B-2 Spirit flyover to start the race. The bomber aircraft was designated the official plane of this year's race.
Wolfenbarger concluded her remarks thanking "this year's 2,100-plus volunteers whose efforts truly make this a world class event."
The three-day event started Sept. 13 with a Sports and Fitness Expo held at the Ervin J. Nutter Center on the campus of Wright State University. Exhibitors at the expo showcased the latest in sports, fitness and nutrition.
The expo concluded with a 5K race held on the university's campus and a pre-marathon pasta dinner at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
This year's full marathon winner was Capt. Brian Dumm, an English instructor at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"What a great crowd, volunteers and weather; everything was just pitch perfect," Dumm said. "It was great to be out there representing the Air Force in a community that is so Air Force proud."
The captain is a repeat winner, having won the 2010 Air Force Marathon, and plans to compete at the U.S. Military Championship next month at Quantico, Va. 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 are unofficial at the time of this release:
-- Men's full marathon: Capt. Brian Dumm, 29, U.S. Air Force, Colorado Springs, Colo., 2:28:58.
-- Men's full marathon overall active military winner: Capt. Brian Dumm
9/20/2012 11:55:53 AM ET I was among the unlucky mass that ran longer than the advertised 13.1 for the half marathon-according to my GPS I logged 14.6 I suffered 2 u-turns which caused abrupt changes in pace and abundant frustration as each inversion forced me behind slower runners. Ben Payne the winner of the men's half and personal friend was somehow able to break his own former course record. However, even he was impacted as the sheer volume of the wrong-way crowd forced the pace car to divert leaving him and the other front runners yelling to clear a path as they struggled to weave their way upstream-how fast could he have run unimpeded? I register for races in order to gage how I am able to compete against other runners, so for me this event fell horribly short of all expectations. I understand that this was the result of an unfortunate mistake ,but a similar mix up occured during last year's event when the pace car led the elite runners the wrong way extending their race by nearly a mile. While I r
Cindy Finke, Dayton OH
9/18/2012 9:42:08 AM ET Really sorry to hear of the problems with the half marathon. I ran the half but near the back so all was OK with the route. The entire event was really super I have no negative comments at all and enjoyed all the events surounding the races. Really lots of people still cheering us runners at the back of the pack.
Jim P, Battle Creek MI
9/17/2012 8:29:16 PM ET Gee was Jill Metzger able to overcome whatever got her 100 percent disability in order to run again this year
Jay SMSgt ret, DC
9/17/2012 11:16:40 AM ET The article fails to mention the debacle with the half marathon course. It'd be nice to let people know especially participants for next year on how key it is to memorize the course. While it is one of the best marathons I've done the course was significantly impacted by volunteers not knowing where runners were supposed to be routed.
RxC, Las Vegas Nv
9/17/2012 11:07:13 AM ET It's the second time in three years Dumm has won the Air Force marathon. He finished the 2010 marathon in 22749.
Don Branum, U.S. Air Force Academy
9/17/2012 11:03:58 AM ET Excellant weather great course managed by a exceptionally great team encourage by many many spectators along the course to include General's Housing area and public neighborhoods. My son got down on one knee at the finish line and presented his girl friend with a engagement ring which she tearfully accepted with loads of joy in her heart after running the full Marathon next to my son not knowing what was to follow the finish line.
SNCO Ret 89, West Chester Ohio
9/17/2012 7:50:26 AM ET I am wondering if any details will surface about the issues surrounding the distances run by some participants due to being misdirected by course personnel?
