'Rock 'n' Roll' Airmen run half-marathon in Edinburgh

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Are you fit to fight? To fight the weather, the terrain and that inner voice that says, "You've run far enough, you can quit." Are you?

For the Team Mildenhall participants, the 2013 Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon in Edinburgh was just such a challenge - one that each and every Airman beat as he/she crossed the finish line.

"At the finish line, an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment swept over each Team Mildenhall participant," said Tech. Sgt. Rachel Castrovinci, 100th Operations Support Squadron deputy airfield manager.

Even though some runners were from the 100th Air Refueling Wing and others were from the 352nd Special Operations Squadron, all ran as Airmen from here - further reinforcing the mindset that it's one team, one fight for Team Mildenhall members.

"What could be better than running with your friends, teammates and representing Team Mildenhall?" said Chief Master Sgt. William Markham, 352nd Special Operations Group command chief. "Feels great - nothing better than having team work (when doing anything)."

People run for different reasons. Some run to prove something to themselves.

"It is a personal competition, I run my own race. It proves that I can overcome some significant physical obstacles (steep hills) and it is not all that painful," said Master Sgt. Brion Rockel, 100th OSS Weather flight chief. "Over the last three years, people like Lt. Col. Chris Bennett, Chief Master Sgt. Paul Wallace, Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Warren and Castrovinci talked about their different half and full marathons they did, and I ended up wondering if I could do it too. Being physically ready is just a byproduct."

Others run to meet Air Force standards and embody the Warrior Ethos.

"Because I still can and I enjoy the time to think. Running proves that I am still not a good runner but I am out there," Markham said. "As a chief master sergeant/senior NCO, we have to lead by example. If you're not continually trying to be your best and meeting the 'bare maximums,' then you are no longer effective because the minimums don't cut it. Air Force Instruction 36-2618, paragraph 5.1.10 tells us this, but as senior NCOs we live this and if you're not, find something else to do."

Running can be used as a vehicle to escape reality for a while, a means to get in shape or a way to maintain resiliency.

"I run because it makes me feel good - mentally and physically," Castrovinci said. "I run because it's good for me and because it helps me clear my head. Work can be stressful sometimes and when I have a really crazy day, a nice 3- to 5-miler helps me 'leave work at work.' I am a happier, calmer and better person afterwards. I think my family and my co-workers like me better for it."

While each signed up for personal reasons, collectively the Airmen served as Wingmen, too.

"One of my teammates, Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Warren, invited me to run it with him," Markham said. "It's about teamwork and relying on them to make us better at what we do."

"We didn't run together, per se, but we were all there together," Rockel said. "It was great to have people I knew running in the race."

This year's Rock 'n' Roll run in Edinburgh played out much differently than expected. Runs in Edinburgh typically are known as being the fastest courses in which participants can achieve personal best times for marathons and half-marathons. This year's race, however, was not all downhill. This change in race route made for a more grueling race to the finish line.

"It started and finished in Holyrood Park. About half of the run wound through the city and it was very hilly," said Warren, 100th Operations Group chief.

"It was a lot of hills. I have run six half-marathons and this was the hilliest," Castrovinci said. "The weather was pretty beastly that morning. I remember at one point running uphill against the wind, with the rain pelting me in the face. My feet were soaking wet and felt like they weighed about five pounds each. The weather definitely made it harder to deal with."

Even though the 2013 Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon in Edinburgh, held April 14, 2013, is now a past event complete with scrapbook memories and a medal to tout the participants' successful completion of the 13.1-mile foot race, many of the runners will continue to look for other opportunities to test their mettle.

Who else will be among them?

RAF Mildenhall hosts its half-marathon race May 11, 2013. For more information, or to sign up for the training plan and the half-marathon, call the North Side Fitness Center at DSN 238-2349 or commercial at 01638-542349.

Editor's note: Lt. Col. Christopher Bennett is the 100th OSS commander. Chief Master Sgt. Paul Wallace is the 351st Air Refuleing Squadron superintendent.