Liberty Wing members to run Marine Corps Marathon

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Eleven Airmen, composed mostly of Liberty Wing members, are coming together under the name Team 512th Airlift Wing to run and raise money for the Fisher House through the Marine Corps Marathon Oct. 26 in Washington D.C. 

Team 512th AW has collected more than $5,000 for the Fisher House, which is a non-profit organization that provides housing to the families of military members who have an extended stay in a military hospital. 

If the amount of money collected isn't impressive to some, the variations between most of the runners might be notable. Each team member will bring a variety of experience and goals to the starting line. 

Senior Airman Michael Balan, 709th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, and Capt. Kathryn Fiddler, 512th AW military equal opportunity chief, will be running their first marathon. The two "newbies" will run alongside veteran marathoners such as Tech. Sgt. Mitch Coffey, 709th AS flight engineer, and Lt. Col. Robert Shepherd, 326th Airlift Squadron commander, who have three and six marathons under their belts respectively. 

While the experience each team member brings is different, personal and team goals are similar. 

"My personal goal is to finish the race running," said Maj. William Mills, 512th Operations Group plans officer. "My secondary goal is to get across the finish line no matter what."
Captain Fiddler has similar goals. She said she wants everyone on the team to finish the race. 

Other runners view the challenge of the marathon differently. 

"My personal goal is to push myself beyond my measures and to raise money for a good cause," said Tech. Sgt. Ragonese, 512th Airlift Control Flight communications specialist. "For a team goal, I would like to see a group of people come together and represent the 512th (AW) proudly." 

Training schedule among the group is as yet another aspect that differs between the marathoners. 

Major Mills and Captain Fiddler not only share similar goals but they are both using a training program developed by U.S. Olympic marathoner Jeff Galloway which combined days on long distance running mixed with days of easy walking. Sergeant Ragonese, on the other hand, said he is training not by mileage, but by a steady increase in the amount of time he is running. Colonel Shepherd has a different technique for preparation as well. He said not only does his training include long-distance runs, but he also includes speed training on the track and hill work-outs on the treadmill. 

Regardless of varying training schedules and goals, Team 512th AW will come together at the starting line in October. Colonel Shepherd, Major Mills, Captain Fiddler, Sergeants Coffey and Ragonese and Airman Balan will be joined by fellow teammates and 326th AS Pilots Lt. Col. Eric Weber, Maj. Luther Jennings, Maj. Scott Suazo, 709th AS Instructor Pilot Capt. Amy Tullis and 9th Air Force Public Affairs Officer Capt. Amy Hutchisson from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. 

To donate, visit the team website at http://www.active.com/donateFisherHosue2008MCM/Team512AW.