Offutt warriors complete Omaha Marathon, half marathon

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  A chill fills the air as a few thousand runners gather at the starting line. Several perform last second stretches while others simply wait for the signal. Pow! The gun sounds and they're off. 

More than 3,000 people participated in the 34th running of the Omaha Marathon, which included a marathon, half marathon, 10K and wheeled races Sept. 27 in Omaha, Neb. A number of Team Offutt members were among those taking part. 

Master Sgt. Thomas J. Bateman, superintendent of knowledge operations for the 55th Mission Support Group, completed the Omaha Marathon in 3 hours, 22 minutes and 18 seconds placing eighth in his division and 41st overall. Sergeant Bateman completed the Air Force Marathon on Sept. 19 and only eight days later managed to finish another 26.2 mile race, despite nursing a sore foot. 

"My foot was still very tender during the marathon, especially when going into turns," Sergeant Bateman said, "but after mile 18, I felt fine and I actually feel better after running the Omaha Marathon than I did the day after the Air Force Marathon." 

Training is what enabled Sergeant Bateman to complete two marathons in just over a week's time, he said. 

"You have to train and log your miles, then it's just a mental game during the run," Sergeant Bateman said. "You'll want to stop, but you know you can finish because you've trained for it." 

Sergeant Bateman said he plans on running in the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 25 where he hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon. 

"Going into a marathon I always set a couple of different goals because there are too many variables that go into completing 26.2 miles," Sergeant Bateman said. "Some days you just run better than others and you never know what the weather will be." 

"My main goal is to secure a Boston qualifier; I missed it last week by one second, so I hope to qualify for Boston in October," Sergeant Bateman added. 

Cmdr. Robert W. Thomas, a senior analyst with U.S. Strategic Command, completed the marathon in 3:59:21 placing 26th in his division and 175th overall. The commander said the Omaha Marathon was his first and he was grateful to finish. 

"I began running regularly three years ago, but I had to take a year off after I ruptured my Achilles tendon," Commander Thomas said. "It's been a long road back, but I think I'm almost there." 

The commander's goal for the marathon was to complete the 26.2 mile race in four hours. A goal he said he achieved despite severely tired muscles in the later stages of the race. 

"I hit the wall at mile 21," Commander Thomas said, so he was forced to run slower during the last five miles due to lactic acid build-up in his legs. 

"I was relieved to finish, but a little disappointed I couldn't keep my pace during the last five miles," Commander Thomas said. However, the commander said he's determined to run faster in future races and plans on running in the Lincoln Marathon next spring. 

Staff Sgt. Benjamin H. Moore, an airborne cryptologic operator for the 338th Combat Training Squadron, completed the half marathon in 2:00:57 placing 69th in his division and 700th overall. Sergeant Moore managed to outrun more than 1,000 of the 1,800 participants of the half marathon, maintaining just over a nine minute-mile pace during the race. 

Throughout the half marathon, Sergeant Moore was motivated by his wife Luella, who ran by his side all the way to the finish. Completing the race with his wife was truly special, Sergeant Moore said. 

"We were very satisfied with our time, but we were just happy to stay together for the whole race," Sergeant Moore said. 

"We really picked it up for the last three miles and made a game out of passing all the people who passed us earlier," Sergeant Moore said, "it took our minds off how tired our legs were." 

An avid runner, Sergeant Moore said he plans to run in the Kansas City Marathon on Oct. 17. He also said he hopes to see more Airmen participate in the Omaha Marathon next year. 

"Running events like the Omaha Marathon promote fitness and personal achievement," Sergeant Moore said. "I never thought I, the short pudgy kid in high school, would be physically fit or have the determination to be considered a distance runner."
"If I can do it, anyone can," he added. 

During the marathon, runners were supported by 14 water stations, as well as 14 various local bands which were located approximately every two miles along the route. Runners also ran past some of Omaha's significant landmarks including Rosenblatt Stadium, the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Qwest Center. 

Susan Smisek, the Omaha Marathon race director, said she was thrilled that so many people from Offutt participated in the marathon and hopes more do so in the future. 

"We love having members of Offutt participate in the marathon and we'd love to see even more," Ms. Smisek said. "We have several states represented every year and if we could get a team from Offutt together to run in next year's marathon to represent our armed forces that would really rock." 

For more information about the Omaha Marathon, including 2009 results and 2010 registration information, visit www.omahamarathon.com.  For a list of members of Team Offutt who finished the 2009 full and half Omaha Marathon, click here.