Features, News, Sports

786 FSS hosts 6th annual Ramstein Half Marathon

August 25, 2016
Story and photos by
Airman 1st Class Savannah L. Waters 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Kaiserslautern Military Community members run during the Ramstein Half Marathon August 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base. Approximately 400 participants ran 13.1 miles around the base.
Kaiserslautern Military Community members run during the Ramstein Half Marathon August 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base. Approximately 400 participants ran 13.1 miles around the base.

The 786th Force Support Squadron hosted its 6th annual Ramstein Half Marathon August 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Approximately 400 Kaiserslautern Military Community members ran a 13.1 mile course around the base. The participants received a t-shirt, sling bag, and a participation medal upon crossing the finish line.

Participation medals lay on a table for runners to receive after the Ramstein Half Marathon August 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base. Runners also received a t-shirt and a sling bag after they crossed the finish line.
Participation medals lay on a table for runners to receive after the Ramstein Half Marathon August 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base. Runners also received a t-shirt and a sling bag after they crossed the finish line.

“It raises morale for the running community in USAFE and gives people a goal to strive for,” said Alysha Brandy, 786th Force Support Squadron fitness program manager.

The first person to finish the race at 1 hour and 13 minutes was U.S. Army Pfc. Elias Chesire, 214th Aviation Regiment Blackhawk mechanic.

The first woman to cross the finish line was Dreama Walton, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Information Management Division systems administrator. She finished the race in 1 hour and 31 minutes and reached her personal goal.

“After the race I felt great!” Walton said. “I felt strong, and if I’m here next year, I’ll do it again.”

Dreama Walton, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Information Management Division systems administrator, hugs her daughter after finishing the Ramstein Half Marathon August 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base. The first person to finish the race at 1 hour and 13 minutes was U.S. Army Pfc. Elias Chesire, 214th Aviation Regiment Blackhawk mechanic. Walton was the first female to cross the finish line at 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Dreama Walton, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Information Management Division systems administrator, hugs her daughter after finishing the Ramstein Half Marathon August 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base. The first person to finish the race at 1 hour and 13 minutes was U.S. Army Pfc. Elias Chesire, 214th Aviation Regiment Blackhawk mechanic. Walton was the first female to cross the finish line at 1 hour and 31 minutes.

During the half marathon, there were five water stations set up by volunteers throughout the route. These were located approximately every two miles in which three had cut fruit to refuel the runners during the race.

Along with 35 staff members, 50 road guards and 25 water station attendants volunteered for the Ramstein Half Marathon.

Participation medals lay on a table for runners to receive after the Ramstein Half Marathon August 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base. Runners also received a t-shirt and a sling bag after they crossed the finish line.
Participation medals lay on a table for runners to receive after the Ramstein Half Marathon August 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base. Runners also received a t-shirt and a sling bag after they crossed the finish line.

“We are so grateful to the volunteers who man the water stations and cheer on the runners,” Brandy said. “This was one of the most important pieces in organizing the event, because without them we could not host this event.”

The half marathon is one of the largest fitness events of the year at Ramstein, and the numbers grow every year. In 2015, about 340 runners registered for the event. Registration for this year’s event closed early due to reaching a 400 runner limit.

The runners started the race near the Law Center and finished in front of the Southside Fitness Center Annex. The run path included stretches of Perimeter Road, the area behind the Base Exchange to the 1st Combat Communications Squadron and back.

The 2017 half marathon is scheduled for August next year.

A volunteer hands a water cup to a participant during the Ramstein Half Marathon August 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base. Water stations passed out cut fruit and water approximately every two miles to refuel the runners during the race.
A volunteer hands a water cup to a participant during the Ramstein Half Marathon August 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base. Water stations passed out cut fruit and water approximately every two miles to refuel the runners during the race.
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