History of the Marathon
The first official marathon was held on September 20, 1997, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Air Force, and is held in September each year in celebration of the U.S. Air Force birthday. To commemorate our 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 2008, the USAF Marathon will feature the F-22A Raptor, the Air Force's newest fighter aircraft.
The race has grown over the years to over 5000 participants in 2007. The course is a 26.2-mile run that 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.
All levels of runners participate from around the world, including marathon, wheelchair, relay (four-person teams), half-marathon, and five-kilometer runners. The USAF Marathon is certified by the USA Track and Field Association with the course containing a large number of hills.
Marathon Statistics
- The oldest person ever to run the marathon was 82 years old and finished in 5:37:20.
- The marathon has attracted runners from 8 countries and all 50 states.
- The fastest runner from the marathon's host location, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, finished in 2:45:33.
Marathon Record Holders - Individual
| Category | Record Holder | Time |
Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Male Full Marathon | Josh Cox | 2:20:57 |
2007 |
| Overall Military Male Full Marathon | John Agnew | 2:30:49 |
2000 |
| Overall Male Wheelchair | Glen Ashlock | 1:47:06 |
2006 |
| Overall Female Full Marathon | Lori M. (Eppard) Wilson | 2:55:04 |
1997 |
| Overall Military Female Full Marathon | Lori M. (Eppard) Wilson | 2:55:04 |
1997 |
| Overall Female Wheelchair | Holly Koester | 3:01:42 |
1998 |
| Clydesdale | Manuel Hauck | 3:06:55 |
1998 |
| Athena | Sara Whittingham | 3:14:28 |
2003 |
| Overall Male Half Marathon | Derrick Butler | 1:09:30 |
2006 |
| Overall Female Half Marathon | Caitlin Reese | 1:22:20 |
2006 |
| Overall Male 5K | Brett Still | 15:34:31 |
2005 |
| Overall Female 5K | Jewel Kelly | 19:52:00 |
2003 |
Marathon Record Holders - Team
| Category | Record Holder | Time |
Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Relay | National Guard Seacows | 2:16:53 |
2000 |
| Women's Relay | Bob Schul Racing Team | 2:41:38 |
1998 |
| Military Relay | National Guard Stars and Stripes | 2:31:05 |
2005 |
| ROTC Relay | ROTC-Boilermakers | 2:49:32 |
2006 |
| Coed Relay | Recce 1 | 2:24:19 |
2004 |
| Masters Relay | National Guard Piranhas | 2:31:31 |
1999 |