Air Force Marathon tests Team Seymour grit

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Wendy Lopedote
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  By car, plane, motorcycle and even a "motley-crew" team van, members of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base descended on Wright-Paterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio to participate in the 14th Annual Air Force Marathon.

Team Seymour was well represented as runners from the 916th Air Refueling Wing, 4th Fighter Wing, 567th RED HORSE Squadron and a military spouse competed in 10K, half-marathon and full marathon races held Sept. 18. The 30-member Seymour contingency joined a record-breaking field of 12,000 entrants for this year's event.

Personal goals were set and subsequently conquered by the runners as everyone from Seymour finished their respective races. "I was shooting for under one hour and I came in at 56:06," said Maj. Shannon Mann, 916th ARW, who ran in the 10K. "It was a great feeling!"

Col. Timothy Lamb, 567th RHS commander, ran the full marathon and was happy with his second marathon results. "I improved by a half hour over my first marathon time," he said.
Running in just her first marathon, Mrs. Maria Landrum posted a time which would qualify her to enter the Boston Marathon if she wishes. Mrs. Landrum, wife of Senior Master Sgt. Ryan Landrum, 4th FW, confessed that she has looked at the legendary marathon's website for more information. She said that her primary goal really was just to finish the race.

"It's incredible, especially on her first try," Capt. Joshua Carroll, 4th FW, said of Mrs. Landrum's accomplishment. "I have friends who have run many of these races, but have fallen just short of qualifying for the Boston Marathon."

No slouch himself, Capt. Carroll ran the 26.2 miles, his third marathon, in just under three and a half hours.

Even if personal bests weren't achieved by all of Seymour's runners, just participating in the AF Marathon was a thrill for most. "It was the most exciting small town atmosphere I've seen. The local community support was incredible," said Capt. Christopher Woofter, 567th RHS, who was running the marathon with his brother, Tech Sgt. Steve Woofter, 916th ARW.
"There was so much patriotism. Yards and streets were decorated red, white and blue and folks were out on their lawns to cheer us on," he said, referring to the 10-mile marker lebration put on by the town of Fairborn, Ohio.

Col. Lamb enjoyed that part of the course as well. "I felt good running through there because kids were holding their hands out to high-five the runners and people of all ages were along the street cheering," he said. "It was really inspiring and fun."

The course set out by marathon organizers was no walk in the park, however, and runners passed the miles through a number of strategies. "I listened to the music along the road," said Capt. Woofter. "There were five to six bands along the way that I can remember."

He also said that in a long road race like this, it helps to focus on people and all of the surroundings to break up the monotony.

Talking to other runners helped Col. Lamb throughout the race. The team shirt he wore gave him the opportunity to share a little about the mission at Seymour Johnson when asked what "Team Seymour" was.

"At first it's pretty easy to carry on a conversation," he said. "But by those later miles it takes everything you've got just to finish."

In those later miles was where Col. Lamb said he hit a point all runners dread - "The Wall."

"Mile 19 -- that's when it all started going downhill for me," he said. "That's when it started hurting more; my legs were hurting."

"Every step became painful. The last seven miles were pretty tough."

Most people agreed that the back stretch of the full marathon course was a serious challenge.

With fewer trees and water stations, as well as increasing daytime temperatures, the final miles tested the mental and physical will of novice and expert runners alike.
"Coming across the flightline was murderous. I really felt it this time," said Capt. Woofter, a veteran of many road and trail races.

Despite the physical pain endured by the runners, the sense of personal achievement and group camaraderie made the experience all worthwhile.
"It was fun meeting everyone and getting to know those I've run with before better," said Mrs. Landrum. "I had a fantastic time!"

Capt. Woofter felt the whole weekend, even the 12-hour van trip, was a great experience for him and his brother. "Because it's the AF Marathon and we had such a good time with everyone, we'd do it all over again if we get the chance," he said.

Competing together in the AF Marathon again was a sentiment expressed by several members of the group. The experience bonded the Seymour runners in a way which blurred the lines between active duty, reserve or even military dependent.

"I hope we can participate together in more events like this," said Capt. Woofter. "The Team Seymour concept was awesome!"

Col. Randall Ogden, 916th ARW commander, agreed. "It was a perfect example of total force integration and great team effort from all of the Seymour participants. I'm especially proud of the 916th members."

"The large number of participants we had in an event like this just exemplifies our commitment to making fitness a lifelong undertaking," he said.

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