JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
A combined team of 51 men and women from Joint Base Andrews and Bolling Air Force Base are scheduled to participate in the 14th Annual Air Force Marathon held Sept. 18 at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
This is a true joint effort as the team consists of servicemembers from Air Force District of Washington, the 316th Wing, 11th Wing, 89th Wing, the 79th Wing and the 113th Air National Guard. Thirty nine members of the team are taking part in the half marathon and 12 are running the full 26.2 mile marathon.
"Bringing runners from Andrews and Bolling into a team to run the USAF Marathon was Col. Ken Rizer's (316th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander) vision," said 1st Lt. Thomas Hanson, 316th Civil Engineer Squadron operations support officer in charge. "Coming into the 316th Wing, Colonel Rizer saw this as an opportunity to bring together elements of the 316th Wing, 11th Wing and the tenant units at Joint Base Andrews into a constructive pursuit. From there it was a matter of getting the word out to those who were already planning on running and encouraging people on the fence to train and travel with a group."
The training for this endeavor has been ongoing for several weeks, consisting of daily group runs which begin at 6 a.m. at the West Fitness Center, Lieutenant Hanson said. Due to the drastic difference in distances between the two races, there are different training regimens for each one. While several members of the team have run multiple marathons before, the majority of members are using this opportunity to run their first half or full marathon.
"For me, it's been an excellent experience," Lieutenant Hanson said. "I'm new to Andrews, so I've been exposed to all the units and functions on this base, and been able to communicate with members of the 11th Wing, who will soon be part of the family here. Having a supportive group of runners training for the same goal is a great incentive for me to work hard and it fosters a feeling of accountability in my training."
Completing these races takes a commitment to training and fitness that these members of Team Andrews exemplify.-
"The men and women of the Andrews/Bolling Team are excited to work together to represent the National Capital Region at the Air Force Marathon," Colonel Rizer said. "The discipline and determination needed to train for a half or full marathon are also traits required to be an Airmen in our Air Force. We are running to challenge ourselves to be better Airmen and to set an example of excellence. Moreover, the training ensures we are fit to fight and ready to take on any hurtles ahead, both at home and deployed. Go Air Force!"