USAF Marathon registration fees to increase Aug. 1 Published July 21, 2008 By Kathleen A.K. Lopez Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Runners looking to participate in this year's U.S. Air Force Marathon Sept. 20 are running out of time - time to register for one of the event's five races before prices increase on Aug. 1, that is. "The USAF Marathon offers runners of all levels a chance to participate," said Molly Louden, marathon director. "In addition to the full-marathon, which is for runners and wheelers, there is the half-marathon, the 10-kilometer individual and team categories, as well as the 5K race." The 5K event will be held Sept. 19 on the grounds of neighboring Wright State University, with whom the Marathon office began a partnership in 2007 to accommodate more short-distance runners, and have a less-congested finish-line area for the longer distance runners, Mrs. Louden said. Until July 31, the full- and wheeled-marathon registration fee is $75; the half-marathon is $60; the 10K individual and team-member cost is $40 per person and the 5K price is $20. Note that there is an additional $40 "team-creation" fee for the four-person relay team category. On Aug. 1, all races except for the 5K will increase in price by $10; the 5K will increase by $5. Online registration fees are encouraged to ensure accuracy and timeliness, but also are less expensive than mail-in applications, she said. All registrants may pick up their race packets Sept. 18-19 at the USAF Marathon Sports & Fitness Exposition at WSU's Ervin J. Nutter Center. This year's expo will feature sports clinics by special guest, Bart Yasso, Runner's World magazine's chief running officer, and more than 60 vendors featuring running apparel, products, etc. Additionally, registrants may sign up for the USAF Marathon Gourmet Pasta Dinner. It will be held Sept. 19 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, and will feature Mr. Yasso as the keynote speaker. The price through Sept. 17 is $20 for adults, $10 for children, ages six to 12, and children under six are free. If there are any tickets remaining, runners may purchase them at the expo at an increased price for adults of $25. "The pasta dinner tends to sell out by the expo," Mrs. Louden said. "Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis." The race, which annually rotates its aircraft "mascot," this year features the F-22 Raptor, the newest air superiority fighter to join the Air Force arsenal. "The F-22 is actually the first aircraft to make its return as a USAF Marathon mascot," Mrs. Louden said. "It made its debut as the first marathon mascot in 1996. However, it was not yet operational, thus, couldn't be demonstrated on race day." This year, however, it will. In addition to appearing on medals, tee-shirts, towels and a host of other registration trinkets, the Raptor will fly during Marathon events on Sept. 20. All USAF Marathon events, including the expo, are open to the public. For more information, log onto www.usafmarathon.com. The USAF Marathon is held annually in September to commemorate the founding of the Air Force as a separate military service on September 18, 1947.