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Tinker runners raise the bar at the Air Force Marathon

  • Published
  • By John E. Banks
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  Thirty-nine runners represented Tinker at the 11th annual U.S. Air Force Marathon Sept. 15 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
   More than 6,300 runners participated in all areas of the marathon, half-marathon and relay events commemorating the Air Force's 60th birthday.
   "It was an unbelievable experience for me and all who went representing Tinker," said Ben Gibson, Gerrity Fitness and Sports Center director. "It was overwhelming to see the participation from the civilians as well as active duty military personnel. It made you want to train harder and to get fit for next year's marathon."
   Danny Ponder, president of the Tinker Running Club, was awarded a special running bib for having been a participant in all 11 Air Force Marathons. He is one of only a handful of runners nationwide who can make that claim.
   "I really enjoyed my experience at this year's marathon," Ponder said. "I was glad I had the opportunity to get it in. I was able to cut 30 minutes off my time and qualify for this year's Boston Marathon. This will be the third time in my running career to qualify for that world-class marathon."
   Another milestone was achieved by Kay Shawdah-Malagon who shaved one hour off her previous best time, which was in the 2007 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.
   Additionally, Dave Piscitello and Doug MacNeil also qualified for the Boston Marathon with their times in this year's Air Force Marathon.
   The official results, announced Sept. 19, confirmed 32-year-old Josh Cox from San Diego as overall winner in the men's full marathon.
   Cox's winning gun time of 2:20:57 is a new record for the U.S. Air Force Marathon and qualifies him for the U.S. Olympic Team trials to be held in New York City this November.
   Air Force 2nd Lt. Karissa Goodrich, a 22-year-old who hails from Annadale, Va., was the top finishing overall female marathon runner at 3:06:54.
   Wheelchair racer Glen Ashlock, 46, from Dexter, Mich., took the honors in the men's wheelchair marathon with an official time of 1:54:05. Holly Koester of Walton Hills, Ohio, was the top female wheelchair racer, crossing the line at 3:39:58.
   The top finishing military male marathoner was Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. (Dr.) Mark Cucuzzella, a physician at Andrews AFB, Md. Cucuzzella won the 2006 Air Force Marathon and finished fifth overall this year with a gun time of 2:34:26.
   (Some information provided by Derek Kaufman, 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs.)
   Tinker results
   Marathon finishers
Danny Ponder 2:58:25
Bryan Rogers 3:13:07
Doug MacNeil 3:17:39
Dave Piscitello 3:22:05
Bruce Layne 3:24:35
Shane Spencer 3:24:42
Cuu Nguyen 3:29:30
Brain Yort 3:51:27
Greg Yort 3:57:42
Angela Messing 4:00:50
Erik Jones 4:06:58
John Morrison 4:29:37
Jennifer Condon 4:50:02
Dora Bray 5:10:07
Tess Coburn 5:24:01
Scott Porter 5:25:24
Robert Constable 5:26:09
Kay Shawdah 6:37:04
   Half marathon finishers
Edward Hurd 1:42:06
Phillip Cherry 1:43:02
Eduardo Assman 1:48:45
Willie Kinchion 2:22:09
Leigh Morse 2:24:00
Ben Bray 2:24:01
Judy Fedder 2:28:15
Casey Beninati 2:33:16
Don Nicholson 2:55:48
   Relay finishers
   MRS Madness 3:54:18
Linda Bowers
Marcus Meeks
Chris Upton
Emily Johanneck
   72nd Services 4:03:32
Ben Gibson
Karen Blackwell
Jerry Wright
Traci Fuhrman
   MO Cuts 4:14:54
Dartiniano Omran
Ellen Bugarin
Sean Eldridge
Stacey Isaac