445th LRS Airman wins half marathon while on annual tour

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  A 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron reservist's fit to fight training paid off during his annual tour at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, when he won first place in his age group in a half marathon June 13.

Senior Airman Shayne Thompson was asked by his co-workers, Chief Master Sgt. Shirley Ozio and Senior Master Sgt. Rebecca Spencer, if he'd like to participate with them in the Heide Half Marathon in Stude, Germany, during their annual tour.

"Both Chief Ozio and Sergeant Spencer are big running enthusiasts and we talk frequently about running on the unit training assembly weekends. I ran once before with Sergeant Spencer (7 miles) and I found that her pace was very comfortable so when they came to me about perhaps running during our annual tour I figured it would be a great experience ... and it was," Airman Thompson said.

When she found out the dates for their annual tour, Chief Ozio checked the Internet to see if there were any half marathons going on at that time. Sergeant Spencer found the Heide Half Marathon in Stude scheduled for June 13 that fit the time frame they were looking for.

"There were a lot of other 'firsts' for me on this trip. I am new to the reserves so this was my first annual tour. It was also my first time in Germany and this was my first attempt at a half marathon," Airman Thompson said.

The morning before the race, the three reservists drove 4 hours, 30 minutes, north of Ramstein toward Hannover and on into Stude, a small village only covering approximately 4 miles.

"The race was on a Sunday. We went to the pre-race pasta dinner Saturday night. Only the race director, Fretig, spoke English. Fretig introduced us to the crowd and afterward we were known only as "Ohio." Shayne won a bag of potting soil in the raffle, but luckily another runner traded it for a jar of honey," Chief Ozio said.

Chief Ozio said the course for the race was an out and back course that ran partially through the town and through the country then along a pebble trail next to a river. There were approximately 100 people running the half marathon and Airman Thompson took first place in his age group. His time was 1 hour, 58 minutes, 21 seconds.

"As for training, I have always been a fairly good runner but just never ventured beyond 7-8 miles at any given time. A big motivator is having someone to pace off of. Sergeant Spencer completed the Air Force Marathon last year and Chief Ozio has done numerous marathons so having their knowledge and motivation contributed greatly to knowing the right things to eat, drink, and how to prepare," Airman Thompson said.

The Airman added that running the half marathon was one of the highlights of his first annual tour.

"I might need some more training before I attempt a full marathon, but my next challenge is completing the Air Force Marathon this September and perhaps running a faster time," Airman Thompson said.