Flight engineer crosses finish line overseas

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Steve Lewis
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 32nd Fisher House Marine Corp Marathon took place on Oct. 28 in Washington D.C., but Master Sgt. Mitchell Coffey, after all his training and preparation, didn't make it to the starting line. 

Duty called, and the 709th Airlift Squadron flight engineer was needed for a last-minute overseas mission. He wouldn't get back in time. 

However, with the help of his fellow crew members, Sergeant Coffey, was able to run the entire 26 miles on the same day of the D.C. event while at Rota Naval Air Station, Spain.
"I spent five months training, and my main goal was to raise money for the event and run with the 30,000 other participants," he said. "Geographically, it wasn't important where I ran it; I still wanted to do it." 

While training for the marathon, Sergeant Coffey, with the help of sponsors, raised more than $1,200 for the Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit organization and Combined Federal Campaign Charity, aimed at assisting servicemembers and their families in need. 

The night before the impromptu marathon, Sergeant Coffey borrowed a bicycle from an Airman on Rota Air Base and placed bottles of water along his intended route. 

With the help of 709th AS member Tech Sgt. William Edmondson, Sergeant Coffey planned out all the safety precautions needed during the run, including providing a drawn path to Capt. Chadd Webster, his C-5 aircraft commander. 

"As a crew, we saw how determined he was to complete his run, and we were just as determined to help him accomplish his goal," said Sergeant Edmondson. "After all, we are a team." 

The next morning, Sergeant Coffey began the 26 miles on his own with sun still beneath the horizon. 

At the 10-mile mark, Sergeant Coffey was still keeping a steady pace when he saw a silver car creep up behind him, he said. Inside the car, were his fellow crew members including fellow flight engineers Sergeant Edmondson and Tech. Sgt. Scott Cassyd. They had borrowed the car from an Airman, stationed on Rota AB, and used it to follow Sergeant Coffey, making sure he was safe during the run, said Sergeant Edmondson.
"It was a fantastic feeling to see the car," said Sergeant Coffey. 

Besides making sure he was properly hydrated, members of Sergeant Coffey's flight crew actually joined him for portions of the run. Those members included Captain Webster, 1st Lt. Brian Marasco, Sergeants Edmondson and Cassyd and Airman 1st Class Autumn Sexton. 

Four hours and 29 minutes later after Sergeant Coffey was joined by the flight crew during different portions of the run, he finished the 26-mile trek, close to his finishing time last year when he was able to attend the marathon. 

"The whole crew was there at the end cheering me on," he said. "They even had a finish line made of toilet paper for me to run through." 

The aircraft commander added one thing to note. 

"Due to time zone differences, Sergeant Coffey was the first one to cross the finish line," said Captain Webster. "He should be commended on both his commitment to the Air Force and his charitable personality. It is great to fly with someone who has such professionalism, both in and out of uniform." 

As for Sergeant Coffey's plans to run in next year's marathon, Sergeant Coffey said he hopes to not miss it. 

"My plan for next year is to put a running club together to help raise more money for the event," he said. 

Besides working to raise money for the Fisher House, Sergeant Coffey said the benefit of putting a team together will also help in training and staying in shape. 

Those interested in joining Sergeant Coffey's running club for the 2008 Marine Corp Marathon can contact him at flyingbean777@hotmail.com.