Father, son team make running a family tradition Published Nov. 7, 2013 By Airman Megan Friedl 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- A Scott Air Force Base Airman shares more than just the same name with his father. Senior Airman Douglas Crossen, 375th Medical Operations Squadron, and his father, Douglas Crossen Sr., run the Air Force Marathon together every year. Crossen Sr., who retired as an Air Force first sergeant, is now deployed in Afghanistan as a NATO manpower management specialist. He first became interested in running a marathon while he was deployed in 2007. He made a goal of running 2007 miles, an average of about six miles a day. He surpassed that goal and reached 2012 miles. He was originally planning to run a marathon where he was deployed, but because of security level changes it was cancelled. He decided that he didn't want to waste all his training, so he signed up for the Air Force marathon and completed it. The following year Crossen's son joined the Air Force. "I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps," said the younger Crossen. He started running in preparation for basic training and began to tackle longer distances with his father's encouragement. In 2010, they ran the Air Force Half Marathon together and have been traveling to Dayton, Ohio, every year since for the run. This year while they were running side-by-side they wore bright orange matching track suits. Crossen Sr. also brings an orange-haired troll along with him for the run as part of a fun tradition. Near the end of this year's race aches and pains began emerging, but they kept at it and finished the race together. Many of their family members are also becoming interested in running. Crossen senior said he hopes that by next year some of them will be able to join them for the marathon weekend, if not for the full marathon, at least in the 10k or possibly the half marathon. "As long as I am physically able I plan to continue running the Air Force marathon every year," said Crossen senior.