Team Tinker readies for Air Force Marathon Published July 31, 2009 By John E. Banks Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker officials organizing a base team for the 2009 U.S. Air Force Marathon are looking for more participants. "We are looking for a greater contingent of runners to participate in this year's event," said Erik Jones, Team Tinker organizer. "Our representation from Team Tinker was outstanding. We had several runners post career bests and some that qualified for higher level marathons." Though the marathon will be run Sept. 19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, other events are scheduled to begin Sept. 17. The marathon consists of the Sports and Fitness Exposition, 5-kilometer, wheelchair marathon, 10K and half and full marathon events. Team Tinker, coupled with the Tinker Running Club, has set up training and racing regimen to get runners of all age levels and experience prepared for this annual trek to Ohio. "These training events are geared to prepare runners for their specific events and to group runners according to their skill level," said Danny Ponder, Tinker Running Club president. Each runner who successfully navigates and completes any of the events will be awarded an commerative medal. "The participation, excitement, enthusiasm and training by Tinker are one of the highlights of the marathon and are greatly appreciated," said Molly Louden, Air Force Marathon race director. One of the highlights will be the aircraft flyover at all of the events of the marathon. This years aircraft will be the global hawk. "Each year the flyover gets raves reviews by the runners, volunteers, and spectators of the event," said Louden.