9 Keesler runners headed to Air Force Marathon Published Sept. 15, 2010 By A1C Heather Holcomb 81Training Wing/ Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Every year the thousands of people are drawn to Dayton, Ohio, like Monarch butterflies to the forests of Mexico. Their motivation for going and their backgrounds vary greatly, but they are all there for the same reason: to run. Ever since the 50th anniversary of the Air Force in 1997, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has hosted the Air Force Marathon. This year's event includes 5-kilometer, 10-K, half marathon (13.1 miles), and full marathon (26.2 miles) races; a two-day sports and fitness expo; a race director's breakfast; a gourmet pasta dinner and several guest speakers. At least nine Team Keesler members will be among the thousands of feet pounding the pavement toward the finish line: Full marathon -- Mark Bautista, endocrinology technician, and Zsuzsanna Krokovay, medical technician, 81st Medical Operations Squadron; Cody Spitler, 81st Force Support Squadron; Joseph Wheeler, 81st Inpatient Operations Squadron first sergeant, and Walker Hofmann, 333rd Training Squadron undergraduate cyber training instructor. Half marathon -- Nelson Viniegra, 81st MDOSdermatology technician; Ann Owens, 333rd TRS training support flight chief, and Terry Owens, 336th TRS communications and information management flight chief. 10-K -- Janet Draper, 338th TRS cyber transport flight chief. The motivation for entering a marathon is usually more than for the pure physical benefits. Running in itself is an activity that reaches deeper than skin and muscle. Bautista said that he was motivated by fear. "I believe that in everything we do, even though it can be hard to admit, there's always going to be that fear of failure, pain and struggling," Bautista said, "I refuse to be the one too scared to try something and end up not doing anything." Bautista was a boxer until an accident put him on crutches. He quickly decided he wasn't going let himself be restricted and began running. Now he runs between 20-40 miles per week with his friends. "They're all faster than me, so I always push myself to try to keep up," he said. It's been said that the only way to improve in any aspect of life is to ignore perceived limitations and keep moving forward, even if progress is slow. Krokovay also entered the Air Force marathon to push herself. She said she wanted to take her running further -- she ran three half marathons last year and is running the full marathon this year. Hofmann says he's an avid runner and has wanted to participate in the Air Force Marathon ever since he joined the Air Force in 2006. "I'm not the fastest kid on the block, but I finish every race I start," Hofmann said. "For me personally, that's the most important thing." Spitler said it's been a goal of his to run a marathon competitively and the Air Force Marathon is a step towards that goal. He has run in 5-Ks and triathlons, but this is his first full marathon. Wheeler is running the Air Force Marathon for those who can't. He decided to make his run a First Sergeants Council fundraiser for wounded, injured and ill service members and their families. "I was going to go up and run it for fun at first," said Wheeler, who ran the Air Force Marathon for the first time last year. "Then I visited the Center for the Intrepid, a rehabilitation center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio that helps wounded warriors adjust to everyday functions. What may seem r outine for us isn't for a double amputee." Viniegra said that his co-workers told him they had good experiences at past Air Force marathons. He's run half marathons in San Francisco, San Antonio and New Orleans and has participated in the Bataan Memorial Death March in New Mexico twice. Ann and Terry Owens have made the Air Force Marathon a yearly tradition. They started going in 2007 as part of a relay team and have been attending ever since. "This will be the one I go to every year, not only for the enjoyment but for the camaraderie," Anne Owens said. "It's a great event and gets better every year," her husband added. Draper said her inspiration came when she heard Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, speak at her Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy graduation. When General North said, "Be outstanding or be outprocessing," his message resonated with her. She returned with the goal of improving her fitness so she could perform at the level expected of a senior NCO. "Registering for the marathon forced me to continue on this path by running, cross-training and eating clean." said Draper.