Sheppard Airmen compete in AF Marathon, Sergeant top military runner

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Varga
  • 82nd Training Wing Pubic Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Three Sheppard members competed in different events at the Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Sept. 19. 

Maj. Mark Roberts, 82nd Dental Squadron endodontist, Capt. Clifford Scruggs, 373rd Training Squadron director of operations, and Master Sgt. Robert Anderson, 364th TRS instructor, represented Sheppard at the Air Force Marathon with Sergeant Anderson also representing Air Education and Training Command. 

The three Airmen started training for the marathon in April, right after the Oklahoma City half marathon. They ran together on weekends to train and build up to the peak of their running abilities, said Sergeant Anderson. 

"The hard part is the training. The race itself is fun and very rewarding," said Major Roberts, who got to run with his older brother and 62-year-old father. 

Major Roberts and Captain Scruggs both ran the full 26.2-mile marathon while Sergeant Anderson represented AETC in the 10K race where he placed first out of military racers and fourth overall. 

Sergeant Anderson was presented with a special award for his accomplishment by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. 

"It was a pretty big deal to get the award. I'm 41 years old and to know I can still keep up with the younger guys and compete at the level I'm at is a huge honor," Sergeant Anderson said. 

"Goal setting is the biggest key in accomplishing something like this though," he said. "Running is great because the runner has control of their pace and can work to improve on their times but it still all rests on the individual." 

Major Roberts said he has been running for 10 years and this year was his fourth marathon. He is currently training for the Marine Corps Marathon, in which he hopes to get a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon in April of next year. However, he plans to keep competing in the Air Force Marathon for as long as possible he said. 

"It really is a first class event. I really enjoy doing it," he said. 

Sergeant Anderson said he set a goal similar to Major Roberts'. He will run again in 2010 to qualify for the 2011 Boston Marathon.