3 Incirlik, 1 Izmir Airmen headed to AF Marathon

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Three Incirlik and one Izmir Airmen were selected to represent the United States Air Forces in Europe at the 12th Annual Air Force Marathon Sept. 19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. 

Lt. Col. William Foster, 425th Air Base Squadron commander, Capt. Theodore Rieth, 39th Air Base Wing sexual assault response coordinator, Senior Airman Berlin Aniciete, 39th Logistical Readiness Squadron, and Senior Airman Bradley Williams, 39th Maintenance Squadron, will represent USAFE and the 39th Air Base Wing among the more than 7,000 participants at this year's AF Marathon. Captain Rieth will run the half marathon while the other three have chosen to run the entire 26.2-mile run. 

All members selected to represent USAFE at the event self-nominated for sponsorship. The selection means USAFE will pay for their trip to the event. USAFE is sponsoring the attendance of 18 of its Airmen. 

'I'm honored to represent Team USAFE at the marathon this year," Colonel Foster said. "It's one thing to run a marathon on your own; it's another to run it for someone else." 

"Being on a remote assignment to Izmir, I hadn't counted on being able to run the AF Marathon this year," he added. "This is indeed a great opportunity." 

Not a marathon rookie, this is Colonel Foster's seventh AF Marathon. It will also be the 31st marathon he's run in the last 15 years. 

The course traverses historical places on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, including the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the Air Force Institute of Technology, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, the Wright-Patterson AFB flight line, Huffman Prairie Flying Field, and the Wright Brothers Memorial Monument, according to the event's Web site. 

At 26.2 miles, marathons are not something people jump into on a whim. Participants typically train for months in order to just complete the race. 

"I run six days a week; sometimes doubles," Colonel Foster said. "Friday is the only off day. I follow an 18-week program as I always do in preparation for marathons." 

One aspect of the marathon one can't necessarily prepare for is the mental toughness required to run 26.2 miles. 

"A huge portion of the marathon is mental," Colonel Foster explained. "They say the race is really two parts: The first 20 and the last 6.2. A good training program can get you to the 20-mile part. The last 6.2 is mainly mental." 

All levels of runners participate from around the world in the Marathon, wheelchair, half marathon, 10K, and 5K races. The AF Marathon course is certified by the USA Track and Field Association and is a Boston Marathon Qualifier, according to the event Web site. 

To commemorate The Air Force' rich history in flight, each year one aircraft is chosen to be highlighted during the marathon and on the unique finisher's medal presented to each race participant. 

In 2009, the USAF Marathon will feature the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system. 

Incirlik will be hosting its own marathon Sep. 19. For more information on competing or volunteering to help in the Incirlik Marathon, contact the Fitness Center at 676-6086.