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IT’S NO MYSTERY: JTF Scott personnel compete in half marathon

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chris Stagner and Staff Sgt. Ivan Velasquez
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs and 375th Services Squadron
Scott Air Force Base, Ill. --  Snow still lined the ground in places and breath could be seen coming from the mouths of people as they stretched, sprinted and paced on Scott Air Force Base on Saturday. 

This wasn't a group of people waiting for a deployment or exercise, though. At a time when most people are enjoying their day off and sleeping in, 46 people ignored the 17-degree temperature and gathered for the Mystery of Endurance Half Marathon.
The race was organized for a few different reasons. 

"We have races throughout the year, and this half marathon was just a way to for us to enable [Joint Total Force Scott] personnel to train for the upcoming St. Louis marathon and half marathon and for those that wanted to try and complete 13 miles for the first time in a more relaxed environment than those competing in a large race," said Staff Sgt. Michael Cich, 375th Services Squadron fitness specialist and race organizer. 

People ran the race for different reasons, but the common theme seemed to be fitness and preparation for a larger race. 

"We're training for the Boston and St. Louis marathons," said Matt and Angela Beebe.
Elizabeth Monday was glad for the opportunity to train and run the race. 

"I'm thankful for the civilian fitness program that allowed me to train during work hours and get healthy at the age of 45," she said. "I'm really happy with the way I did. It was much better than I expected." 

There was some concern about whether or not people would show up for the race due to the temperature, but it was a non-factor. 

"It was insanely cold with wind chill factor that felt like 13 degrees," said Sergeant Cich. "But we're very pleased to say that everybody toughed it out and completed the race. Everybody was really happy." 

The success of the race is something the 375th Services Squadron intends to make routine. 

"We'll definitely have another race next year," said Sergeant Cich.