Runway Run gives public opportunity to see base

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  A cool breeze fills the air as more than 160 people make their way to the starting line. The stretching has been done. Their muscles are warm. They are ready to turn Offutt into their personal race track. On your mark, get set...go!

One-hundred-sixty-one people participated in the second annual Runway Run here May 10. The Runway Run is a seven mile race which begins and ends at the Bellevue Lied Activity Center. Five miles of the race are on Offutt AFB.

During the run, members of the Bellevue community had a rare opportunity to see parts of Offutt normally off limits to the general public including: STRATCOM headquarters, the Martin Bomber Building, Offutt's confinement facility, --the oldest facility of its kind west of the Mississippi River, the SAC Memorial Chapel and general's row, where senior base leaders live.

Participants also had a rare opportunity to run on a portion of Offutt's runway, something Col. John N.T. Shanahan, 55th Wing commander, said was a real treat.

"Very few bases have ever opened up their runways for a fun-run, but Team Offutt was able to do so because of the superb work of the base and the city of Bellevue," he said.

As he ran through the base he was extremely grateful to all the volunteers along the route, ensuring runners knew where to go, providing water and cheering runners on, he said.

The Colonel finished 23rd overall with a time of 52 minutes and 17 seconds. While he is proud of this accomplishment the colonel stressed all Airmen must strive to be physically fit.

"I' am a strong proponent of physical fitness, not only because a healthy workforce is vital to our combat capability, but because we all need the proper balance of mental, physical and spiritual well-being."

Anne Medeiros, a retired salesperson currently training for the Madison, Wis. Marathon, took first place in the female-over-60-category with a time of 56 minutes and four seconds and said she loved this year's Runway Run.

"The run was thrilling, especially to be on the runway," she said. "The run was also well organized as the route was easily marked, people were handing out water and motivating you to continue running; I don't think it could have been any better."

Organizing the Runway Run presented some difficult challenges, said Megan A. Lucas, the president and chief executive officer of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce.

The Runway Run always presents significant challenges because most of the run is on Offutt, Mrs. Lucas said. "Working out all the details and issues that are involved with hosting non-military people on base and running on the runway are the most difficult."

More than 20 volunteers helped ensure the event's success by performing various tasks including manning water and first aid stations, athlete registration, setting up the route, and acting as traffic monitors.

This event wouldn't be successful without volunteers, Mrs. Lucas said. "Volunteers along with the Bellevue Police Department, rescue squad and Bellevue Public Schools all did their part and were instrumental in making this event a success."

Following the run, Col. Shanahan and Jeff Galloway, a nationally known marathon runner and a member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic team, recognized the Runway Run's top performers.

The first place finishers for each category are listed below:

0-99 Overall

Justin F. Liedke.........41:49

Male 0-18

Joshua Ramsey.........54:50

Male 19-29

Timothy J. Langdon.....41:52

Male 30-39

Michael R. Fraysse......42:28

Male 40-49

Roy White................44:09

Male 50-59

Peter Silberstein.........45:08

Male 60-99

Jose Badillo............54:57

Female 0-99 Overall

Kelsi A. Huseman......52:25

Female 0-18

Mallory Ubbelohde....1:05:24

Female 19-29

Michelle Jahovec.......52:51

Female 30-39

Michelle Geist..........54:10

Female 40-49

Kierstin Ehlers-Hansen....54:16

Female 60-99

Anne Medeiros..........56:04