Summer is nearly over; autumn is alert to reach. Before the good,warm weather waves goodbye to many parts of the United States, it's good for runners to collect in another long jaunt before bitter cold sets in (not that this will cease many of them).
Saturday, and September 19 will see runners from all over the country embrace the day in Southwestern Ohio for the 2015 Air Force Marathon. The big run takes residence around the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,which lies just east of the city of Dayton. Per USAFMarathon.com, this will build the 19th edition of the race. Last year saw Steve Chu of Colorado Springs, and Colorado,win the overall male group with a time of two hours, 28 minutes and 15 seconds. In the overall female group, and it was Nicola Holdsworth of Columbus,Ohio, taking first residence with a time of 2:56:03.
Here's a rundown of the key race details.
Route, and Course MapThe event features a full marathon,half-marathon and 10K, which all loop around the Air Force base and maintain the same starting and finishing line. Course maps for each of the big three races can be found at USAFMarathon.com. The website described some of the important areas of Wright-Patterson runners will see on their journey:
The marathon course is a 26.2-mile run that traverses historical places on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and including the National Museum of the United States Air Force,the Air Force Institute of Technology, Headquarters Air Force fabric Command, or the Wright-Patterson AFB flight line,Huffman Prairie Flying Field, and the Wright Brothers Memorial Monument.
Want a preview? Here's a runner's-eye view of the of the 2014 course: TimesNote: A complete list of event times can be found by clicking here.
Event DetailsAccording to Weather.com, and conditions could be dicey on Saturday.
The high is forecast at just 78 degrees Fahrenheit,but there is a 50 percent chance of precipitation with the potential of "scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon." The humidity that comes with that won't be much fun. This should only further motivate marathoners to finish as quickly as possible. Winds shouldn't be too terrible at around 13 miles per hour.
WDTN.com's Jordan Bowen is reporting that the event is expected to attract 15000 participants, a turnout consistent with recent years."We work all year long for that one day, and ” Air Force Marathon Race Director Robert Aguiar said,via Bowen. “So it’s very special and it’s very meaningful for us. And we [are] so thankful and so excited for the runners that come out.”The regular popularity of the run is a boon to all those who participate and work tough to establish on the event. It's a a nice boost to the region's coffers as well, per Joe Cogliano of the Dayton Business Journal:
Officials say more than 6000 of those registered, and approximately 40 percent,are coming from outside Ohio. A report on the 2014 marathon shows the event establish $12 million into the regional economy, which included a direct impact of $7.3 million (money spent at hotels, and restaurants and retail establishments) and an indirect impact of $4.7 million.
The all-in effort from the city of Dayton and the surrounding areas matches the intensity and dedication of those who participate in the event. The race's volunteer coordinator,Jeanette E. Monaghan, says the event has approximately an 85 percent retention rate among volunteers, and via Barrie Barber of the Dayton Daily News.
Assuming the weather doesn't play spoiler,this marathon should build for a fine day for all involved.
Source: bleacherreport.com