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AETC seeks runners for 2009 U.S. Air Force Marathon

  • Published
  • By Terry Prudhomme
  • Air Education and Training Command Manpower and Personnel
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The thirteenth annual 2009 U.S. Air Force Marathon takes place Sept. 19 on Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Events include the marathon, half-marathon, individual 10- and 5-kilometer races.

This year Air Education and Training Command continues its support of this fitness event by selecting four female and four male runners for the 10-kilometer race, and two men and two women to represent it in the full marathon. All individuals are selected based on past performance. AETC-sponsored competitors must be active-duty Airmen assigned to the command.

Airmen selected for the official AETC team are authorized permissive TDY in accordance with AFI 36-3003, Military Leave Program, and AETC provides personal maintenance allowances and pays for race entry fees, transportation, lodging, warm-up suits and running shirts.

Applicants must submit individual nominations on Air Force Form 303, Specialized Sports Training, to their local fitness centers by June 2. Each fitness center director enters their most qualified nominees for each of the categories. Applicants must include the correct category, such as men's or women's 10-kilometer race, men's or women's individual full-marathon, and athletic uniform sizes on the form. The AETC selection board meets in late June to select the most qualified runners to represent AETC.

The U.S. Air Force Marathon always takes place in September to commemorate the founding of the Air Force as a separate military service on Sept. 18, 1947. During the race, marathon runners pass by the Air Force Museum, Air Force Institute of Technology, the Wright-Patterson AFB flight line and the Wright Brothers Museum. Past runners have described the race as more challenging than the Boston Marathon.

The marathon is open to the public and attracts competitors from around the world. More information about the event is available at www.usafmarathon.com.