Top runners to participate in Air Force Marathon
By Brett Turner
Skywrighter Staff, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
June 10, 2005
Two of the top distance runners of all time will be a part of the ninth annual U.S. Air Force Marathon in September.
Bill Rodgers and Alberto Salazar became running legends in the mid to late 1970s and early 1980s. They were household names in the days before outlets, like ESPN, brought new exposure to athletes.
Both will conduct separate free afternoon running clinics and sign autographs at the marathon sports and fitness expo Sept. 16 at Wright State 's Ervin J. Nutter Center. The pair will also be keynote speakers at the pre-race pasta dinner at 6 p.m. the same day.
The U.S. Air Force Marathon will be Sept. 17 near the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Opening ceremonies will be at 7 a.m.
It will be the first visit to the Air Force Marathon for Rodgers and Salazar.
Both said they are excited about the Air Force Marathon, which is gaining a reputation in the running world.
"You build a marathon gradually, so it will be fun for me to come out to, running around the base and having the Wright brothers' influence around me," said Rodgers.
Salazar said he will enjoy being part of a military-based marathon as he has family members in the military, including a brother who is a naval aviator.
Rodgers was ranked the top marathon runner in the world several years in the 1970s. He won the Boston Marathon in 1975 and 1987-80, and the New York Marathon 1976-79 as well as running for the U.S. Olympic team in 1976.
He has five American records and one world record.
After a strong prep and college career, Salazar won his first New York Marathon in 1980 in the fastest marathon debut time in history at the time. The following year, he broke a 12-year world marathon record in two hours, eight minutes and 13 seconds.
Salazar also won what is considered the most memorable finish in Boston Marathon history in 1982. He fought a battle the final mile with Dick Beardsley (the guest speaker at last year's pre-race pasta dinner), outkicking him in the final stretch in what became known as "the Dual in the Sun."
Salazar earned six U.S. records and one world record in his career. After a hiatus, he came back in 1994 to win the 53-mile Comrades Marathon, an ultramarathon race in South Africa .
Rodgers said he and Salazar have known each other since the latter's high school days. Although not racing as much, both are shoe company spokesmen, conduct clinics, work with runners and do speaking engagements throughout the year.
Rodgers and Salazar's enthusiasm in encouraging other runners seems as boundless as their prowess for winning in their heyday. Their clinics will cover all aspects of training.
"Running is a great way to keep fit. It has it all," said Rodgers.
The Air Force Marathon has grown nearly every year since its debut in 1997. Rodgers and Salazar said that's a good sign.
"It has been shown there (aren't) as many marathons as there were, but new ones coming in (can) be successful, especially being backed by the Air Force," said Salazar. "People are looking for races like this."
Rodgers said it reminded him of how the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington , D.C. developed.
" Ohio is a big running state, and this race is contributing to this," he said.
Although Rodgers and Salazar are retired from doing 26.2-mile marathons, they still compete at times.
Rodgers, who runs about 25 races a year, is planning to run a four-person relay team here, and Salazar said he may compete in the half-marathon or 5k race but was undecided.
This will be another unique aspect of the Air Force Marathon. In very few sports cam people compete alongside legends like Salazar and Rodgers.
"We're going to have a good time," said Rodgers. "I want to meet the people - first-timers and veteran runners."
The Air Force Marathon offers several races, including the 26.2-mile marathon and wheelchair race; a 13.1-mile half-marathon; a four-person relay race in which each member runs a section of the course; and a 5k (3.1 mile) race. Registrations will be taken through Sept. 2.
For more information on the Air Force Marathon, call 257-4350 or (800) 467-1823 or go to http://afmarathon.wpafb.af.mil/.