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☰
Air Force Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Air Force Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 344 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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J. E. from Indiana
(9/30/2014)
 "Good mid-size marathon, saluting the military" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran USAFM in 2008, so 2014 was my second attempt. I bonked in 2006, finished well this time. I liked the course. I enjoyed seeing all the military stuff and marveled at the size of the HUGE airstrip we ran all the way around. I liked the varied open and tree-canopied portions of the trail. The water stop volunteers were awesome, particularly the 'alien invader' station!!! The finish is awesome, just awesome. I was moved to sprint down that range of people with the huge planes watching over us. I received my medal from a 2 star general, to boot. Food was fine, | |
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M. H. from Nashville, TN
(9/22/2014)
 "Still a Favorite" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 With the exception of one (I injured my knee) I have ran every AF Marathon since 2009. They have tweaked the course a bit over the years (not necessarily for the best) but I still plan on running this race annually. Again there was no flyover at the start this year which was a disappointment... Would have loved to see the F-35 in action! Still, considering that the aircraft is not in operation yet (and the military's budget having been slashed to pieces) one can hardly be surprised. The biggest disappointment was the t-shirt this year. Previously they had given racers technical shirts made by New Balance with a great design. They switched suppliers this year and the shirts really sucked. I hope they switch back next year. Otherwise, another great event. Pros: - Every year, the medal is quality - Great racing environment - Not a huge race (unless you like that thing) but not especially small either - The fans (where they are permitted) are always great - Those staffing the aid stations are always great - A spectacular turnout by the military and their families. Being able to shake the hand of an Air Force colonel at the end is a true privilege Notes: - As mentioned previously, the full and half marathons merge around mile 22 without a divider between the two groups. This really becomes a problem for those who are running the full, but are finishing 4+ hours as you encounter many walkers. Most of the half marathoners stick to their half of the road, but you have the occasional ones who get in the way - If you are a runner who needs consistent encouragement from fans, this probably isn't for you. Most of this race is on the air force base, which means entrance only for those who have permits to do so. The back half is in a secluded wooded area, and aside from the aid stations it is a empty trail. In the more inhabited portions of the base, the staff and their families will sit out and show their support which is very admirable. While briefly off base in Fairborn there is a spectacular turnout for a small town. Personally, I find the empty areas peaceful, but others who I have spoken with hate it. Something to take into consideration. - With the exception of the first and final five miles or so, this is an extremely flat course. If you set your pace accordingly, this course can result in a good finishing time. You will find a lot of runners who get through the first five miles, burn through the next sixteen but get destroyed when the hills return at mile 21. I will admit to having had it happen to me. Be Prepared! :) Overall, a great race to choose if you want to support the US Air Force and get one in for Ohio. Personally, it is one of my annuals. Happy Running! | |
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J. R. from Tampa, FL
(9/22/2014)
 "Excellent race with small town feel" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was such a great surprise. This was my first trip to Ohio and I could not have asked for a better experience. The people of the the town of Fairborn as well as everyone at Wright-Patterson are very welcoming and proud of their community. I was very impressed at all of the military personnel that volunteered. General Wolfenbarger has done an amazing job working with the racing community. Parking is very easy. I would highly recommend the pasta dinner. It is held at the Museum of the Air Force the night before. The museum stays open for the participants. The only surprise I had with the race was the heat. The marathon started in the 50s and ended in the 80s. Many runners struggled in the last 4 or 5 miles, myself included. I would definitely return for this first class event. | |
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B. W. from Cincinnati, OH
(9/22/2014)
"Miles 22 - 26...expect pain...and then some" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Good organization overall. Crowd support was pretty sparse (Fairborn section excluded). Scenery along the course was okay, but there were some good stretches of vast nothingness as we ran through the back end of the air base. Miles 22 through the finish are painful. Long rolling hills and a giant merge with 1/2 marathon runners. Elusive finish line as well...'I can see the finish arch, but now I must run a loop around to reach it and my legs are dead.' Mentally challenging. Definitely a challenging course, especially if the day turns warm towards the finish (we started with 55 degrees at the start, but rose to mid-70s by the end). Humidity still a factor as well since it's run in mid-September in Ohio. A good number of runners hit 'the wall' after 35K. Preview the results splits and you'll see proof. Many great aspirations of BQs were shattered by the end of this run. Expo was disappointing. Forced to walk through entire concourse of merchandise, advertisements, paraphernalia, before reaching bib pick-up stations. Relatively inexpensive marathon and close to home (Cincinnati), but I do not plan on re-running in the future. Much better courses out there to tackle and/or re-run. | |
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R. B. from Pittsburgh, PA
(9/22/2014)
 "Nice Marathon" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Going into this marathon I knew what to expect based on previous reviews read on this website. They were all accurate and no hidden surprises. Here is what to expect: Boring course mostly through Wright Patterson Air Force Base. It was flat and fast (only two small hills). Great organization. Amazing fan support in three areas of the course (Wright State U twice and Fairborn). A neat finish under the wings of large military planes. A great finisher medal (it is by far the best I have received). Hats off to the RD in regards to the race shirts. The shirts arrived with apparently a bad misprint. So, the RD got a replacement shirt in time for the expo. Mistakes happen and I think the shirt I got is nice. Many people complained about the replacement shirt, no complaints here. All in all the Air Force Marathon delivered exactly what they advertised. | |
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John Connor from Newport Ky.
(9/22/2014)
 "always well run" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Nothing but the greatest respect for the men and women of the Armed Forces. Thank you and thanks to all the volunteers that made it a great Day, and as always thank God for all his blessings. | |
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Owen Lillywhite from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
(9/21/2014)
"Wonderful race, world-class, with one MAJOR flaw" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent race, really well organized and very impressive. Only one complaint, but it was a major one. Last 5 miles were back with the half-marathoners who started 30 minutes after us. Major crowds on skinny roads. Spent a TON of effort weaving in and out of people casually walking the last 4 miles of the half. VERY FRUSTRATING! Other than that, this is a world-class marathon. | |
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E. A. from Tulsa, OK
(11/4/2013)
"Best volunteers I've ever encountered" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I wanted to do this race because my husband is retired USAF & it was a good chance to visit the museum. The race was well organized & though a good part of it goes through rather mundane areas on base with few spectators, I knew that ahead of time & it didn't bother me. Where there were spectators, especially in Fairborn, they were extremely supportive & enthusiastic. The volunteers were wonderful. The water stops all had themes and were just plain fun to go through. I'm always toward the end & have at times encountered closed water stops, tired, even surly volunteers, these guys were cheering us like we were the front runners. I would do this race again, but probably won't just because of the distance to travel to it. | |
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S. L. from Northwest Indiana
(10/2/2013)
"very nice course!" (about: 2013)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I decided to compete in this race since I'm an aviation enthusiast! The weather didn't help much in that regard, missing the fly-over. I thought the race went very well. Not as flat a course as I imagined. But was true to the elevation graph. Awards are great! Food afterwards (pizza) was good. No complaints! I left right away, so getting out of the parking area was not an issue. My girlfriend and I both PR'd (for what it's worth). She finished 16th woman OA, and 3rd AG. Would recommend this race to others! | |
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J. H. from Japan
(9/30/2013)
"Great race, great time" (about: 2013)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I found the Air Force marathon to be quite enjoyable. It was only my second marathon, but I found everything to be well organized and only have minimal complaints. Things you should know: The course doesn't have any excruciating elevation changes, but there are definitely some hills along the way, primarily at the beginning and the end. I found the scenery along the way to be pleasant, if not breathtaking. Aid stations were well stocked and the volunteers were great. Fans in Fairborn were especially amazing as well as those dispersed throughout the rest of the marathon. Medals looked great and I was impressed with the senior officers that volunteered to hand them out. Negatives: The long walk from parking to the starting line felt like it would never end. I was running a little behind, but still wound up parking the car 30 minutes before race time. It took so long to walk over that I barely had time to line up before the race started. Make sure you arrive early! Also, you only get one chance at food at the end of the marathon no going back for seconds. I would have liked to get another water or gatorade at least, but was unable. Overall, I would run this race again if the opportunity presented itself. |
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