RAF Mildenhall prepares for a "Race to Remember"

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The 100th Force Support Squadron fitness centers are sponsoring a half marathon called "Race to Remember" August 29 to honor families of fallen or injured servicemembers. 

The 13.1 mile run is open to any Department of Defense ID card holder 16 years or older regardless of experience level, and sign-ups are available now through the Northside and Hardstand fitness centers. 

For experienced marathoners, the race is a great way to keep in shape and train for longer races, said April Burson, Health and Wellness Center fitness specialist, but for those new to the challenge of long-distance running it typically takes 10 to 12 weeks to prepare. 

"The most important thing is time," she said. "You can have a great plan to increase your stamina and speed, but unless you make the time to put that plan into action, you won't be successful at achieving your goals." 

The RAF Mildenhall fitness centers have many resources to assist runners, including various types of exercise equipment, two in-house personal trainers and expert advice on training for this type of athletic event. The HAWC, located at the Hardstand Fitness Center, has an exercise physiologist and nutritionist on staff. The staff can even analyze the way a person runs in order to recommend the best type of shoe to wear. 

Alternatively, the Mildenhall running club is a way for novices and pros alike to stay motivated and focused during training. The club's training routine consists of workout sessions that are geared toward rounding out all aspects of a runner's performance. There's also the social aspect of the club. 

"It's been proven that you always run faster when you run with other people at or near your own ability level," Capt. Anthonelli White, running club chairman, said. "Running with others is also another way of keeping running fun and avoiding burn-out." 

The club meets Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. at the Hardstand Fitness Center, Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. at the base track, and most Saturdays at 9 a.m. at the base track. While there is no official roster, to be included in the email distribution list, send a request to Anthonelli.White@mildenhall.af.mil, zebulon.willoughby@mildenhall.af.mil, or Philip.Lere@mildenhall.af.mil. 

"It's purely a matter of showing up and jumping right in with everyone else," Captain White said. "We like to think our club represents an accurate cross-section of the base population. 

"We currently have club members that have never run further then the mile and a half required of them on their (annual fitness test), and a few runners who have excelled in 10-kilometer races, half marathons, marathons and even Ironman triathlons. Everyone is accepted in the running club, and novices are especially recommended to come, if not for any other reason that to increase their mile and a half run times." 

For more information on "A Race to Remember" or to sign up, call April Burson at 238-3735 or Stacy Foremski at 238-2349. To reach the HAWC, call 238-7161.