Sports -- RAF Mildenhall's annual half-marathon "A race to remember"

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Sarah Webb
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  When I first heard that the Fitness center was putting on a longer distance running event my first thought was, "Yes! A base is finally doing something that I love to do." Of course my next couple of thoughts were, "It's close to home, and it's free!" 

I was reading one of my favorite running bibles and came up with a story idea. I wanted to highlight four different types of runners. I didn't want to just write about the superstar runner who is out there barely breaking a sweat. I wanted to show people that just about anyone with desire and dedication can make it through a long-distance event. I picked four people I knew had what it takes to cross the finish line. 

I've trained with some, and I talk regularly to the others about all things running. We have one major thing in common. We love to push ourselves to see what our bodies can do. To see how far or fast we can run. But most of all, we love to run. 

The male runner looking for a new PR (personal record) -- Staff Sgt. Brian Morris 

In Brian's past life, he was overweight and has had a knee surgery. I know this man well because I spend a whole lot of time with him. He's my Ironman training partner in crime. I've watched him lean down and gain speed on both the bike and the run at a phenomenal rate. Just the week before, he competed in the Newmarket Duathalon (5k run, 23k bike, 5k run) finishing in 1:23.56. I couldn't wait to see what he had in him to pull out on game day. 

The female runner looking for a new PR -- Senior Airman Trasy Rincan 

Anyone who knows Trasy Rincan knows that she is one small bundle of energy waiting to explode. She loves anything to do with fitness. Her original goal was to participate in figure competitions and run the short games. The desire for distance running is new to her. She trains to run fast. I knew how fast she was in the 5-10k so I was surprised to hear her finish time for her first half marathon. I had a feeling that she was not only going to surprise everyone but that she was going to surprise herself as well. Trasy will be representing Team Mildenhall an U.S. Air Forces in Europe at the Air Force Marathon half marathon competition this month. Hopefully she will dig deep and come across the finish line with an even faster time. 

The first-timer -- Tech. Sgt. Angel Rios 

Tech. Sgt. Angel Rios was so excited about this event that I think she should have won the spirit award. I remember the first time she asked me anything about running. My advice to her was to stick to a plan. She printed out her training plan and posted it at her duty section laying it out there for everyone to see. As she finished each day she would mark it off so everyone would know if she did (or didn't) follow through. During the preparation for the half, the announcement came out about the full marathon at Aviano Air Base. She sent the information to me and I immediately e-mailed her back suggesting that she change her training plan so that she could run the full. She enthusiastically agreed. So look for a race report on her after Sept. 20. Angel ended up winning the Athena category and came in nine minutes faster than her goal time. 

The Pregnant runner -- Maj. Deborah Newman 

A lot of women find out that they are pregnant and start thinking that it's their ticket to a nine-month relaxation period. Not Maj. Deborah Newman. She crossed the finish line of the event at 1:55.43. I wouldn't be me if I didn't add that it was just one minute and four seconds after her husband Capt. Dylan Newman. Deborah isn't just your average runner. She's an endurance athlete in her own right. She is a marathon runner and an Ironman triathlete. Before participating in the event, she made sure that it was safe for her to run the total distance. Maj. Newman is a great example for women who want to continue with their fitness goals as well as have a healthy pregnancy. 


I want to make sure that on behalf of all the runners, I thank the Services Fitness Center staff and volunteers for a great event. I was shocked at the number of people that came out to run. I'm proud of everyone who participated. It doesn't matter what time you finished in. It matters that you got out there and tried!