Aviano Air Base Marathon official results announced

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor
  • 31st Fighter Wing public affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  More than 200 participants took part in the 2nd Annual Aviano Air Base Marathon here on Sept. 20.

Staff Sgt. Brian Morris, 31, of Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, was the overall winner of the full marathon posting a time of 3:19:50. Gone were the damaging 90 mph winds and remnants of a freak thunderstorm which knocked down more than 160 trees around the base Sept. 7.

Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, 31st Fighter Wing commander, made some opening remarks before the marathon kicked off at 8 a.m. followed by a half-marathon, 10-kilometer, and a 5k and 1-mile fun runs for families and children.

"This was my second marathon," said Sergeant Morris who previously ran in the 2005 Air Force Marathon in 3:58. "The course was a bit repetitive having to run four laps around the flightline, but there were plenty of aid stations and people cheering you on. I'd definitely come back and run this course again."

In just its second year, the Aviano AB Marathon is picking up steam and attracting runners of all ages and throughout U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command with runners coming as far away as the United Kingdom, Germany and southern Italy.

"This marathon provides runners in USAFE who cannot 'go the distance' all the way back to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to run the Air Force Marathon, the opportunity to 'go the distance' right here in their own back yard," said Jennifer Kellner, the fitness programs director for the Aviano Air Base Dragon Fitness Center.

One of the goals of this event is to promote a culture of fitness, not just for military members, but also for the civilian employees and family members, said Kellner. This event is also about strengthening the community. The various shorter distance events and activities held throughout the day are quickly making this a family affair, she added.

Besides the fun run, participants and those standing on the sidelines cheering were treated to a performance by the Aviano Air Base Honor Guard's drill team, a military working dog demo by the 31st Security Forces Squadron, and a variety of games, arts and crafts, and a bouncy castle were also available for the children. A radio disk jockey from the local Armed Forces Network Detachment 8 crew broadcasted live from the start/finish line.

Hosting an event of this magnitude takes a lot of planning, sponsors and volunteers. General Franklin thanked the sponsors and 50-plus volunteers for making this year's marathon a success.

The 2009 marathon here is tentatively set for the same weekend as the Air Force Marathon.

Full Marathon Men's Open: Brian Morris - 3:19:50
Full Marathon Women's Open: AnMarie Hagg - 3:39:01
Half Marathon Men's Open: Andrew Wickerham - 1:27:38
Half Marathon Women's Open: Sarah Webb - 1:40:38
Men's 10k Open: Sorhaindo Deter - 37:57
Women's 10k Open: Kasey Wilson - 42:52
Marathon Team Open (6.55 miles per runner): Sheriden Click, Matthew Hanna, Daniel Carter and Paul Bear - 2:51:08
Spirit Award: 603rd Air Control Squadron with 19 participants

Editor's Note: Names and times provided by the Dragon Fitness Center staff.