Ohio National Guard News

Ohio's Citizen-Soldiers, -Airmen strive to do
their best during 2011 Columbus Marathon

Story and photos by Sgt. Kimberly Johnson, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

LEFT: Ohio Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Samuel A. Cordova, of Newark and a member of Joint Force Headquarters, waves hello. One of 54 National Guard members in the 17,000-runner field, Cordova would go on to complete the marathon in 3 hours, 26 minutes, 50 seconds.

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Army and Air National Guard members led by example Oct. 16, by participating in this year's Columbus Marathon, which spanned throughout the downtown area.

There was a wide variety of competitors who walked, ran or wheeled their way through the 13.1-mile half marathon or the 26.2-mile full marathon. According to the Columbus Marathon website, there were 17,000 participants, up 2,000 people from the official registration numbers in 2010. Of those 17,000, 54 were Air and Army National Guard members.

Sponsored in part by Nationwide Insurance since its inception 32 years ago, the Columbus Marathon weaves and traces through a little more than 26 miles of downtown city streets. The Ohio National Guard is also a sponsor for the race.

"Big events like this with the (Ohio Army National Guard's 122nd Army) Band and the cheering sections and friends and Family, really does focus a runner. It gets the runners through that next mile," said Ohio Air National Guard Master Sgt. Scott Ryan, with the 179th Airlift Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron, and an Ontario, Ohio, native.

Ryan has competed in both the half and full marathons and says progressive running goals are the key for training.

"The main thing in preparing for a half marathon is to be consistent in training," he said. "Get out there and hit those five-mile run marks, those eight-mile run marks and the 10-mile run marks. Thirteen miles is a great distance to train for, because it gets you in good shape and builds endurance."

Many Soldiers and Airmen live, work and are active in their communities. Often, "Citizen-Soldiers" is a term used for Army National Guard members and "Citizen-Airmen" for Air National Guard members.

"The way the Guard works, is we all live in our communities," Ryan said. "To be out here wearing the National Guard shirts, I think that really shows there's more to us than what civilians see on television or what they read in their newspapers; we are here in their communities."

For those who want to take up the sport of running, or participate in events such as the Columbus Marathon in the future, one Airman offered some advice.

"The hardest thing, like anything else, is getting started," said Maj. Doug Frank, commander of the 179th AW Logistics Readiness Squadron, based in Mansfield, Ohio. "Start with 5Ks, then advance to 10Ks. Once you check a half marathon or a whole marathon off your list, it is a good feeling. If you are in the military, it should be a goal to stay fit."

Frank leads by example and encourages his Family and fellow service members to be active and fit in their communities.
"Our leadership challenges us . . . to do the best we can when it comes to fitness, and the Columbus Marathon is a great way to do just that."

 
Ohio National Guard service members toed the starting line with walkers, runners and wheelchair athletes to kick off the 2011 Columbus Marathon. (Ohio National Guard Video produced by Sgt. Jacob Fadley)