Total Force takes on Air Force Marathon

  • Published
  • By Staff. Sgt. Lindsey Soulsby
  • 120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
GREAT FALLS, Mont. --  Training has begun for 17 runners in preparation for the 20th annual Air Force Marathon scheduled September 17 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

Maj. Michael Loy, 120th Airlift Wing maintenance group operations officer and marathon troop commander, collected a team representing the total force to include members from the 120th AW; Joint Force Headquarters, Helena; 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB and the Army National Guard.

While participating individually, Loy is creating a team mentality with group running opportunities.

"I communicate with them and set up days where we can run," Loy said. " The USAF Marathon page has different running plans. Everybody that wasn't training for a marathon found a plan and is actively working."

The team is comprised of a variety of ranks with first-time and veteran marathoners.

"I run four days during the week and on the weekend I'll do a 10-mile run," said Senior Airman Kristan Hall, 341st MW emergency management technician. "I run about 40 miles a week."

According to the AF Marathon website the marathon was first held in 1997 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Air Force. It has since grown into a 15,000 participant event, with runners from all fifty states and many foreign countries.

Montana will be in attendance thanks to the transportation of the 120th AW C-130 Hercules to Columbus, Ohio, where the flight crew will complete a mission and the runners will personally find their way to Dayton for the race.

"Honestly the goal for the team is to have an outstanding experience finishing the race, be a leader in fitness and embrace the total force," Loy said.

The next military marathon is the Marine Corps marathon scheduled for Oct. 2 in Arlington, Virginia.