Photo By Capt. Alex Salmon | Members of the National Guard and avid marathon runners cross the starting line of the...... read more read more
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LINCOLN, Neb. - Overcast skies and a chilled breeze provided an opportune environment for nearly 10,000 runners geared to tear up the pavement at the 36th Annual Lincoln National Guard Marathon and half-marathon May 5, in Lincoln, Neb.
The Army and Air National Guard presence was felt dramatically in additional security and support as well as more than 200 guard runners from 44 states and two territories.
Eight soldiers and airmen from the Nebraska National Guard made up the 2013 Nebraska National Guard Marathon team with an average time of 3 hours, 10 minutes and 21 seconds. Of the eight team members, two men and one woman’s run time earned three slots on the All Guard Marathon team, and one male alternate.
Nebraska National Guard’s marathon team coordinator, Army Sgt. 1st Class Bill Norris, said there was plenty of friendly competition between the National Guard states during the marathon and everyone exhibited professionalism and good sportsmanship.
“It’s a cool event to have all these teams come in here and they all wear their state’s jerseys. There is a lot of pride going on,” said Norris. “We are lucky to have this program.”
Though Norris previously ran in numerous half-marathons, the 2013 Lincoln Marathon was only his second full-marathon. Norris said he felt he should run the full marathon since he is the program coordinator and the Nebraska National Guard team captain. He said he was hurting badly toward the end of the race, but his motivation to continue through each mile was to break his personal record and run under four hours. Norris said he was proud of the Nebraska National Guard team’s performance as individuals and as a team.
“I am proud of them. It’s not easy doing this,” said Norris. “Only one percent of the population runs marathons. I know their times have improved and I appreciate them being on the team.”
Despite the cool air for the spectators, Norris said the weather was perfect for staying comfortable while running and he felt safe with the presence of additional security and Guard personnel.
Nebraska Army Sgt. 1st Class Tarissa Batenhorst, a personnel noncommissioned officer from the 734th Battalion, was the only Nebraska Guard female to qualify for the All Guard Marathon team this year, with a time of 3:41:33. She said what inspired her to push forward during the race was her goal to make the team.
“It means a lot, I have been wanting this,” said Batenhorst. “That was what I was thinking about to keep me going. ‘I really want to make this team. You want to make this team. You’re going to make this team. Come on, you can do it.’”
“You have worked so hard for it and when you make it, then it just keeps pushing you to still be competitive and you are representing,” she said.
Batenhorst made the All Guard team twice before in 2006 and 2007, and she said she is proud to be a part of the team again.
“It’s more than just about running, it’s about representing the importance of why people stay fit to be in the military,” said Batenhorst. “We are the small percentage that say ‘I will. I do,’ that join the guard. We gotta be above, we gotta represent the rest of the world in every category that we can and this is just one aspect. Fitness.”
Air Force Maj. Karl Duerk, a chief pilot from the 238th Combat Training Squadron, said he is a fairly new marathon runner, having only run in two other marathons previously. Duerk began training for the Lincoln Marathon in January. He simply ran the pace he trained to run, during the race on Sunday, resulting in a 3:05:14 finish, qualifying to place him on the All Guard Marathon Team.
“The second half of the race, seeing the National Guard presence from all the guys, from all of the different states competing to make the National Guard team really pulled me along and that’s really motivating,” said Duerk. “It was a really good feeling coming in to the Memorial Stadium knowing that I had a pretty good shot.”
Duerk said, initially it was difficult to adjust to a slower pace at the beginning of the race, because his body wanted go faster. However, he said he was able to push through the second half of the marathon because of the friendly competition of his fellow guard members.
“I was really excited just to wear the Nebraska state team shirt out there in the race on the course,” Duerk added. “To hear all the people out there saying ‘Go Guard’ and seeing all the guardsmen out there representing something bigger than yourself, it was really cool to represent good people you are proud of and proud to wear that shirt. It was a really cool day just to represent the Nebraska Guard.”
Army Capt. Robb Campbell, 35th Infantry Division assistant operations officer, was the final male qualifier from the Nebraska Guard to earn a slot on the All Guard Marathon team finishing with 3:03:11. Campbell has run in the Lincoln Marathon for 10 years and surpassed his personal record which he set 13 years prior by five minutes.
“It’s quite an honor. I am really beside myself,” said Campbell. “I can’t describe how awesome it is to make the All Guard team, and set a personal best by almost five minutes. I was on cloud nine, especially after crossing that finish line.”
“I was so overjoyed, I just could not believe that I ran that well that day,” Campbell said. “It was almost like a dream come true. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had.”
The Nebraska National Guard Marathon team had both experienced marathon runners and a few members who were fairly new to competitive running. But, the three who qualified for the All Guard team shared the same mentality.
“You have to make the decision for yourself,” said Batenhorst. “Do you want to do this or not? You can do it if you put your mind to it. “
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.04.2013 16:23 |
| Story ID: | 108048 |
| Location: | LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 156 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Nebraska National Guard Marathon Team Demonstrates a 'Fit to Fight' Mentality, by SSgt Mary Thach, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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