Team Moody competes in AF Marathon

  • Published
  • By Kevin Davalos
  • 23rd Force Support Squadron
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Team Moody competes in AF Marathon
Kevin Davalos
23rd Force Support Squadron
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.

Fifteen individuals from Moody recently returned from the 14th annual Air Force Marathon held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where approximately 2,400 people competed in the 26.2-mile race Sept. 18.

Led by team captain Stephen Sparks, this group of individuals, began training in early May for the 2010 event. Only six had previously run in a marathon.

Two members were selected to compete for Team ACC: Capt. Paul Gesl, who placed ninth overall and third in the military active duty division with a time of 2 hours, 50 minutes, 51 seconds, and Airman 1st Class Christopher Canlas who placed 17th in the military active duty division with a time of 3:07:29.

After finishing in 4:38:08, Master Sgt. Jared Perzynski accomplished his first 26.2 mile marathon at the age of 40.

"I have planned and trained for this event for about a year," said Sergeant Perzynski. "I hope this will be the first of many marathons. To those that say they could not run 26.2 miles, I say it is all in the heart. The training is hard and long but it is one of the best self accomplishments you will ever know".

Other members of Team Moody had similar experiences running this race.

Staff Sgt. Aaron Williams, who ran a 4:08:07, said, "A strict training regiment led by Mr. Sparks was enough to keep me motivated to finish the marathon. A lot of hard work goes into completing any marathon. I am just proud to say I have done it."

1st Lt. Abigail Marikian was another runner who competed for the first time. She ran the marathon in 4:26:26.

"I had a good experience for my first time. I trained with water and energy gels, which helped me feel good throughout the race," she said. "The hill at mile 24 was the first mental wall I hit. It's all about proper training. I witnessed too many people walk the last six miles or start puking and cramping at only mile 13."

Members of the team continue to train on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings in preparation for next year's AF marathon on Sept. 17.

Anyone interested in training regardless of pace, can contact Mr. Sparks at 229-257-3562 or email him at stephen.sparks@moody.af.mil.

Team Moody results:

Marathon
Captain Paul Gesl, 2:50:51 (23rd Wing)
Airman 1st Class Christopher Canlas, 3:07:29 (23rd Mission Support Group)
Senior Airman John Music, 3:30:18 (23rd Component Maintenance Squadron)
Erik Maziarz, 3:48:52
Stephen Sparks, 3:49:44 (23rd Contracting Squadron)
Airman 1st Class Edwin Ketcham, 3:51:00 (23rd Civil Engineer Squadron)
Airman 1st Class Tanner Bryan, 3:57:29 (23rd Logistics Readiness Squadron)
Staff Sgt. Aaron Williams, 4:08:07 (372nd Training Squadron)
Staff Sgt. Thomas Heinig, 4:08:20 (372nd TRS)
1st Lt. Abigail Marikian, 4:26:46 (723rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron)
Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Walden, 4:31:45 (71st Rescue Squadron)
Master Sgt. Jared Perzynski, 4:38:08 (23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron)
Airman 1st Class Anthony Ankeny, 4:42:10 (23rd CES)

Half Marathon
Senior Airman James Miller 2:15:58 (23rd EMS)
Staff Sgt. Michelle Hutt 2:32:00 (723rd AMXS)