Airman completes 27th marathon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Tired and sweaty, jersey number 49/91 was at the last three miles into Pike's Peak summit -- the hardest part of the course.

He was feeling nauseous. He was running for about four hours now, but he wouldn't give up.

Maj. Rich Salasovich, 419th Flight Test Squadron flight test engineer, joined the Pike's Peak Marathon at Colorado Springs, Colo., Sunday making it the 25th marathon he's ran since stationed at Edwards three and a half years ago and the 27th since February 1999.

"I ran my first marathon in 1999 at the Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio," Major Salasovich said. "I have always wanted to finish one. I thought it was a big goal."

Major Salasovich thought about running a marathon because his younger brother finished one and a coworker of his had run several.

Starting at an elevation of more than 6,200 feet, Major Salasovich started Pike's Peak marathon with more than 700 participants on a 1.3 mile paved road in Manitou Springs. It was cloudy at the start of the race.

Major Salasovich ran the paved street then to Barr Trail that leads to the summit. He tried to sprint the first mile to get in front as much as possible, but it just made him tire quickly. He went back to his routine. He passed Barr Camp then to A-Frame with steep grades, more rocks and boulders.

Major Salasovich then traversed the hardest part of the course.

He said the last few miles prior to the summit were hard because of the boulders he had to climb and the trail being only wide enough for one person. Major Salasovich had to dodge trees, rocks and boulders prompting him to be careful not to twist his ankle or injure himself.

Then he was at 14,110 feet -- the Pike's Peak summit. He made it to the top. All he needed to do was go down.

"It is easier to breath downhill but it is tougher for the joints because the feet are pounding the ground," Major Salasovich said.

Within three miles, he could see the finish line at Manitou Springs. Major Salasovich crossed the finish line at exactly six hours, 46 minutes and 23 seconds. He was the 242nd racer to finish.

He didn't win. However, completing it is good enough for him.

"I ran just to have fun and enjoy my life," Major Salasovich said. "Running keeps me healthy. It gives me a sense of accomplishment."

According to Major Salasovich, running clears his mind and helps him focus.

It can take a lot of training to participate in a marathon, he said. It would take two hours a day. If a person is reasonably fit, it takes three or four months of training.

"My normal training run is 10 and a half miles," he said. "I ran three to four times a week here on base. I start at the gym then through the flightline, NASA, housing, base hospital, past the Base Exchange then past the gym."

In addition, Major Salasovich also ran five marathons this year leading up to Pike's Peak. He participated in California marathons in Los Angeles, Catalina, Big Sur, San Diego and San Francisco.

"It is difficult, but you don't have to be a great athlete," Major Salasovich said. "They just have to put the time to train. Any person can finish a marathon."

Major Salasovich hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon. He plans on participating in an ultra marathon where racers run 50 miles. He also has been swimming and plans to participate in a triathlon.

"I think of each race individually," he said. "It is tough both mentally and physically, but I enjoy myself while I run."