30 runners survive first-ever half-marathon

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kelly Ogden
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Not even the 30 degree temperature on a dreary December day could keep 30 runners from participating in the first ever 1st Special Operations Services Squadron half-marathon.

The marathon, which took place Saturday, began and ended in front of the Aderholt Fitness Center.

The fitness center, who usually puts on a 10-mile challenge every December wanted to change things up a bit this year.

"We have a lot of runners in this area and we thought since we were doing a 10-mile race, why not add the other 3.1 miles and make it a half marathon, said Staff Sgt. Stacy Garner, program coordinator. "That way they could use this race for training."

It took a staff of 19 (staff members and volunteers) to map out the course, man water stations, act as road guards and work the starting and finish lines. According to Sergeant Garner, mapping out the course distance was the most challenging.

"When hard core runners are participating in these races they expect it to be the exact advertised distance," she said. "In the end, the course was off by just a little bit, but it was a lesson learned."

Ana-Maria Ortega, a member of the 4th Special Operations Squadron and division winner, was impressed with Services ability to put the race together.

"Huge thanks go out to Services and the volunteers who helped make the half-marathon possible, they put on a great race," she said. "I think that it has the potential to become a larger race, but I think once word gets out, the turnouts will continue to grow."