News

Offutt Airmen complete Air Force Marathon, half marathon

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Thirteen members of Team Offutt helped make history during the 13th running of the Air Force Marathon at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, on Sept. 19. Offutt's warriors, along with 9,973 civilians and military members, set a record for the most runners to participate in an Air Force Marathon.

The Air Force Marathon kicked off with a three-day sports expo at the Ervin J. Nutter Center and a 5K race on the campus of Wright State University featuring 1,363 runners on Sept. 18. The event also featured a 10K race, as well as the half marathon, full marathon and wheeled races.

Of Offutt's 13 participants, six completed the full marathon, while seven completed the half marathon.

Master Sgt. Thomas J. Bateman, superintendent of knowledge operations for the 55th Mission Support Group, completed the 2009 Air Force Marathon in 3 hours and 21 minutes, placing sixth in his age division, 34th among military competitors and 128th overall.

Sergeant Bateman has run in the Air Force Marathon for the past three years and he's completed marathons in Scotland, England and France. However, the master sergeant said he wasn't always capable of running 26.2 miles.

"I realized in 2006 that I needed a lifestyle change," Sergeant Bateman said. "I was overweight, I had high blood pressure and I was barely meeting the Air Force minimum fitness standards."

It was this realization that motivated Sergeant Bateman to get in better shape, and for him, running was the answer.

Sergeant Bateman committed himself to running half and full marathons to get in excellent physical condition, he said. Now only three years later, he claims he's addicted to running.

"In order to participate in a marathon I have to train for it," Sergeant Bateman said. "That keeps me disciplined and motivated."

Capt. Teresa J. Fondren, a strategic studies analyst with U.S. Strategic Command, completed the half marathon in 2:04:21, while her husband, Capt. Armand G. Fondren II, a weapons and tactics officer with the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, completed the half marathon in 1:40:53 placing 47th in his division and 285th overall.

Captain Teresa Fondren placed 104th in her division and 1,499th overall, an accomplishment she said she's very proud of after giving birth to her first child just over a year ago.

"The first seven miles I was right on pace at a nine-minute mile," the captain said, "however, the second half was a little more difficult and I had to walk quite a bit."

"That last mile seemed like the hardest mile of my life, but I ran the whole way and I had no doubt I would finish," she said. "I was motivated to keep pushing because I knew my husband would be at the finish line looking for me at the two-hour mark, I couldn't make him wait too long."

Running, Captain Teresa Fondren said has not only improved her physical health, but it has also strengthened her marriage.

The Air Force marathon was the first race the couple shared together, even though they didn't run together, she said. "My husband was shooting for an average of an eight-minute mile and me a nine-minute mile, so even though we didn't run together during the race, it was awesome to experience it together and help each other reach our individual goals."

Any time she's able to spend time with her husband, work toward a common goal and share the same experiences, strengthens the bond of her marriage, Captain Teresa Fondren said.

Senior Airman Samuel R. Ronicker, an airborne cryptologic linguist with the 97th Intelligence Squadron, finished the half marathon in 1:54:01 placing 119th in his division and 863rd overall.

"The Air Force Marathon is my favorite race," Airman Ronicker said. "It's well organized and offers me a chance to go back to my hometown and run in a great marathon."

Sergeant Bateman has completed 11 marathons over the past three years and said the Air Force Marathon is one of the best races he's ever been a part of.

"It's one of the best productions I've seen, there's so much support it's incredible," Sergeant Bateman said. "The food stations resembled a smorgasbord, volunteers were very enthusiastic and helped motivate runners to keep going, and water and aid stations were located almost every mile along the course, it truly is a top-notch, professionally run marathon."

At the end of the Air Force Marathon Airman Ronicker shared a special moment with his two sons.

"I ran the last 200 meters with my four-year old beside me and my 17-month old on my shoulders," Airman Ronicker said.

Running to the finish with the crowd cheering him and his boys on was a great thrill, Airman Ronicker said. A thrill he said he looks forward to experiencing many times in the future.

For more information about the Air Force Marathon, including 2009 results and 2010 registration information, visit http://www.usafmarathon.com.