AFMC Command News

Ultra-marathon man to speak at 2012 Air Force Marathon

  • Published
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Report
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Dean Karnazes, the man who once ran 50 marathons in all 50 U.S. states, in 50 consecutive days, will be the featured guest at the 2012 Air Force Marathon Sports & Fitness Expo slated for Sept. 13-14 at Wright State University's Nutter Center.

Registration for the 2012 Marathon begins at 12 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2012, with a special one-day rate. The 2011 race sold out in record time.

"Dean's running accomplishments are simply legendary. We are extremely excited to have him share his message with us at the Expo," said Molly Louden, Air Force Marathon director.

Among his many accomplishments, Karnazes once ran 350 continuous miles foregoing sleep for three nights, won the Badwater Ultra-marathon, a 135-mile race across Death Valley and ran 3,000 miles from California to New York City averaging 40 to 50 miles per day.

The Air Force Marathon aims to promote fitness throughout the Air Force and Karnazes has posed a similar challenge to the entire country. His mixture of extraordinary athletic accomplishments, public speaking engagements and best-selling book, led to being named Time Magazine's "Top 100 Most Influential People in the World" in 2007.

"The Air Force Marathon is earning a reputation as a first-class three-day event in the running community and beyond. Each year we get more interest not only in race day, but also for the events before and after the race," Louden said.

The Air Force Marathon, presented by Northrop Grumman, USAA and Boeing, will be held Sept. 15, 2012, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Participants start and finish at the National Air Force Museum, and spectators are welcome at the museum or in downtown Fairborn. Other events include a half marathon and 10K to be held on Sept.15. The Air Force 5K hosted by Wright State University will be run on Sept. 14 at the Wright State University Nutter Center. The Sports and Fitness Expo will also be held at the Nutter Center on Sept. 13-14.

More information about the Air Force Marathon is available on the web at www.usafmarathon.com.