2025 Air Force Marathon Ambassadors 

Sid Busch

Sid has completed an astounding 206 marathons, along with a remarkable number of half marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks. Since 2001, he has dedicated every race to a member of the military who gave their life in defense of our freedom. After each event, Sid gifts his medal, bib, and race shirt to the fallen hero’s family—a personal way of showing their sacrifice has not gone unnoticed.

He has been a part of the Air Force Marathon Weekend since 2006, proudly serving as both a participant and a volunteer. Now 79, Sid may have slowed down, but he continues to lace up for 5Ks and 10Ks, staying true to his mission of honoring our fallen heroes with every step.

Kristy Barkley

Kristy Barkley is a mother of four, marathoner, autism advocate, and certified life coach who brings fierce determination and deep joy to every finish line. A decade ago, Kristy was diagnosed with early-onset dementia after a traumatic brain injury and told she wouldn’t live past 2020. But through prayer, persistence, and a renewed focus on gut health, she defied every prognosis—and began running again.

Now in her 50s, Kristy has completed 12 half marathons and 4 full marathons, with the 2025 Air Force Marathon and Chicago Marathon next on her race calendar. Running has become her celebration of life, resilience, and freedom—especially meaningful as the daughter of an Air Force veteran and the proud mom of a Civil Air Patrol cadet. When she’s not training for the 2025 Chicago Marathon or running bridges with her dog Titan in Northern Kentucky, Kristy can be found mentoring her Plexus team, cheering on her kids, or sharing real talk about perimenopause, parenting, and running slow—and proud.

Joe “Newt Dawg” Newton

Joe is a retired Airman with nearly three decades of service in the United States Air Force. His enthusiasm for running began in high school with cross-country and continued throughout his career. He primarily participated in 5K races in the U.S. and South Korea before completing his first half marathon, the Air Force Half Marathon, in 2008. Since then, he has completed over 70 marathons and half marathons across the United States and Europe. Newt has been a dedicated advocate for The Air Force Marathon since 2008 and has served as an informal ambassador since 2019. Use MILESWITHJOE for 10 percent off registration.

Madison Maletta

A 27-year-old Pittsburgh native, Madison is a proud mom to her 10-month-old son and a full-time resident physician—juggling long days, strong coffee, and training sessions squeezed into every spare minute. Running has been a part of her life since middle school, when she and her dad, a retired Air Force pilot, would mark their calendars for local 5Ks. He caught the running bug first, completing two full marathons and becoming her greatest inspiration.

After a few “off” years, med school reignited her passion for running with a spontaneous Turkey Trot sign-up. That spark led to the Pittsburgh Half Marathon—and three more after that. Pregnancy and childbirth paused her momentum only briefly, and she’s now back on the road with a new goal in sight: her first full marathon. This year’s Air Force Marathon holds special meaning, as she’ll be running every mile alongside her dad—the man who first taught her to lace up and love the run.

Dan Oh

Dan Oh is a seasoned marathoner, Ironman finisher, and dedicated health professional. Half-retired from a successful career in tax consulting, Dan now brings a new focus to healing—holding a doctoral degree in Eastern Medicine and licenses to practice in both New York and Maryland. He is currently preparing to open his holistic practice in Northern New Jersey, where he hopes to serve the local community through balance-driven, preventative care. Dan began running in his early 50s as a way to overcome diabetes. What started as a health journey quickly turned into a deep passion, taking him through trail marathons, ultramarathons, triathlons, and races around the world. He has completed marathons in all 50 states, conquered the Six World Marathon Majors, and proudly earned the title of Ironman. The 2025 Air Force Marathon will mark his 315th marathon.

Though he runs for his health, Dan understands the challenges every runner faces. As an ambassador, he’s passionate about helping others stay strong, injury-free, and connected to the joy of the sport through the principles of Eastern medicine and lifelong endurance.

Cari Masek

Cari Masek is a marathoner, race pacer, and Elementary XC coach with a passion for running, coaching and encouraging others.  The Air Force Marathon is special to her because was her first Marathon in 2013.  She  has participated in numerous Air Force Marathon weekend events and distances over the years.  Join her on Friday Sept 19, 2025 for the Air Force Marathon 5K.

Scott Reed

Scott is married to his wife Christy of almost 24 years and they have 2 kids, Connor who just graduated Cooper HS and is attending UC Blue Ash for Vet Sciences and Quinn who is starting her Freshmen year at Cooper and has a passion for dance.  Scott is starting his 22 year in education as a band director and 4th at Jones MS in Boone County Kentucky.  As far as running goes, Scott got into running for health and discovered a whole amazing community of people who will support you in your highs and lows.  Getting to meet so many people from all over the world who share an interest has been tremendous!  This year will be Scott’s first Air Force Half Marathon in what he hopes is many events to come! Follow on Instagram @sdreed77.

Linda Ambard

Linda K. Ambard is a retired Community Support Coordinator. She retired from Kadena Air Force Base, Japan. Ms. Ambard started working for the Air Force in 1986 at the Mountain Home Air Force Base swimming pool. She has held a variety of NAF and GS positions to include Child Development Center Director, Youth Programs Director, Family Child Care Coordinator, DoDEA teacher, and Community Support Coordinator. During her Community Support Coordinator tenure, led the youth resiliency effort at AFMC, created a training video still in use for training Casualty Officers, and was published for her research in Positive Trauma Growth. Furthermore, Ms. Ambard was featured in many public forums to include television, radio, and newspaper for her efforts in resiliency and military loss awareness. Ms. Ambard was the voice on the Gold Star Air Force training video.

Phil Ault

Phil is an engineer with Siemens Energy and a dedicated runner based in Florida. He began running at age 55, originally for health reasons—but it quickly became much more than that. Now 63, running has become a passion and a powerful way for him to connect with purpose and community.

This year, Phil is proudly taking on the Dopey Challenge for Team FORCE, a Tampa-based charity supporting individuals and families affected by hereditary cancer. Running for a cause that makes a real difference is both an honor and a motivator for him. Some of his favorite race experiences include the Dopey Challenge during Disney’s Marathon Weekend, the Leadville Heavy Half in the high-altitude terrain of Colorado, and the Space Force 10-Miler at Cape Canaveral. As an Air Force Marathon Ambassador, Phil hopes to inspire others to get moving—especially those who may need a little encouragement to take that first step. It’s never too late to start. You don’t have to be fast, you just have to begin.

Rooker Mears 

Rooker Mears is a B-52 Weapons Systems Officer based at Minot AFB and a competitive endurance athlete with a history of strong finishes. He’s completed multiple Ironman triathlons, century rides, and a 108-mile ultramarathon-earning several overall and age group wins along the way.
His approach to racing reflects the same discipline and intensity he brings to his role in the Air Force.
As an Air Force Marathon ambassador, Rooker aims to support the military running community and help others push their own limits.

David Bloomquist 

David (Dave) Bloomquist, 66, is a Quality Manager from Woodstock, GA, who began running 15 years ago to improve his health. Since then, he’s completed all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, 35 full marathons, 107 half marathons, and races in all 50 states. He’s a volunteer coach with the Atlanta Track Club, a pacer for major Atlanta races, and has competed in three half-Ironman triathlons. Dave now runs with his five-year-old granddaughter and is passionate about helping new runners start their journey.