For many military servicemembers, running once was as second nature as breathing. In boot camp or officer training, it was an everyday activity — whether you liked it or not. But as years and careers go on, it becomes a maintenance thing. And then, one day, it’s not a thing at all. But all that’s changing.

In the past decade, the popularity of competitive road races has surged. According to USA Track & Field, 236,000 runners finished marathons in 1990 — in 2004 the number soared to more than 400,000. So who are these people? They are not necessarily young and lean anymore — many are in their 40s, 50s, and beyond and look like average Americans. Nearly 40 percent of today’s marathon runners are women, and about 43 percent are considered “master” runners — meaning they are 40 and older. Following are some of the better-known military races.

Fly Like an Eagle
The U.S. Air Force Marathon

The first official U.S. Air Force Marathon was held Sept. 20, 1997, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Air Force and hosted 2,500 runners. In 2004, the race had 3,904 registered runners. The course careens past historical sites at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, including the U.S. Air Force Museum, the flight line, and the Wright Brothers Memorial Monument.

Cheryl Blom, the marathon’s coordinator, says the race will continue to grow — with limits. “We will eventually limit it to 7,000 so we will be able to better care for our runners.”

Festivities include flybys and plenty of brass at the finish line handing out medals. Each year a different aircraft is used on the finisher medals; in 2005 the aircraft is the U-2.

The 2004 race was special for Maj. Brian Kissinger, USAFR, because it was his comeback marathon after surgery to remove a brain tumor. “It was special being an Air Force guy and all,” says Kissinger. “[Other races] can be too big and people are always bumping into you on the course. In this one they take care of you.”

Race date: Sept. 17, 2005
Web site: http://www.usafmarathon.com/

The People’s Run
The Marine Corps Marathon

The granddaddy of military runs, the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., is called the “People’s Run” because of its appeal to runners of all levels. It started in 1976 as a positive publicity effort in the wake of the Vietnam War and an attempt to capitalize on the growing trend in distance running. The first race drew 1,175 runners, and in 2004 the marathon had 21,000 registered runners. The course winds past well-known sights such as the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials and the U.S. Capitol and ends at the Marine Corps War Memorial.

Maj. Rick Nealis, USMC-Ret., the race director who coaxed Oprah Winfrey to run the marathon in 1994, says the participants have changed, reflecting more mature runners. “In the early ’80s, people were focused on fitness and speed, which took you to [the Boston Marathon]. Today, people realize you don’t have to do Boston. If you run a three-hour marathon, you get a medal. If you run a seven-hour marathon, you get the same medal and the same bragging rights.”

That mentality attracted Lt. Col. Ted McLyman, USMC-Ret., to the race in 2004. McLyman, 53, says running a marathon isn’t such a crazy thing to do for someone “who came out of the largest health club in the world.” But, he admits, since his retirement from the Corps in 1994, running became a neglected part of his exercise regimen — until his 24-year-old daughter, Marne, got him back into it. They trained for the marathon together while living in different states, and both were able to finish the marathon in five hours and 18 minutes.

Marne says this one was different from her four previous marathons. “Even though my body was fighting back, my dad was there for me, and I couldn’t have done it without him. And no matter how many mistakes you make, at the end you feel like a million bucks — you feel like you’re on ESPN or something.”

McLyman agrees with his daughter. “It’s good people, good fun, and the best midlife crisis you can have.”

Race date: Oct. 30, 2005
Web site: www.marinemarathon.com

Full Speed Ahead
The Blue Angel Marathon

If you are a fair-weather runner who likes balmy breezes pushing you along, head down to Pensacola NAS, Fla., home to the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. The Blue Angel Marathon (BAM) was started in 1983 by the station’s then-commanding officer, Capt. J.B. McKamey. Today it is the second-largest marathon in Florida and one of the most prestigious races in the southeastern United States. The 2005 race has been cancelled due to damage from Hurricane Ivan, but in 2004 organizers hosted 1,600 runners and are expecting an even bigger crowd in 2006. The race starts with the playing of the national anthem and a dramatic jet flyby that chokes up even the most road-weary race veterans.

Most runners must overcome some sort of obstacle, and Capt. Mackey Tyndall, USAF-Ret., knows all about that. He completed the 2004 BAM half-marathon in the wheelchair division and plans to complete the whole marathon in 2006. “A lot of people like military races — the theme is very patriotic, and everyone wants to be part of the military community,” Tyndall says. “When they run a race like BAM, it gives people a feeling they are doing something for the military and their country.”

Race date: 2006 date TBD
Web site: www.naspensacola.navy.mil/mwr/nas.html

Hooah!
The Army Ten-Miler

If you’d like to start with something a bit shorter than a marathon, consider the Army Ten-Miler. Started in 1985, this race also takes participants past the landmarks of Washington, D.C., and kicks off the Association of United States Army (AUSA) convention. Pete Murphy, editor of AUSA News and one of the race’s founders, says the race is 10 miles to distinguish it from the Marine Corps Marathon and to make it more challenging than the many local 10-kilometer races. Since its inception, it has grown from 1,379 runners to 13,138 finishers in 2004 — the largest 10-mile race in the United States that year. George Banker, operations manager for the Army Ten-Miler, says along with the number of participants growing each year, the quality of the race also is escalating.

“Our goal is to keep each year’s race better than the previous year’s — for example, we don’t want the 21st race this fall to pale in comparison to the 20th anniversary race last year,” Banker says.

According to Banker, organizers focus on making each race comfortable and user-friendly for the participants. Maj. John Nolan, USA, has run the Army Ten-Miler 12 times and says the organizers’ efforts have paid off — each race is better than the last. “I run the Army Ten-Miler for three reasons: It’s a reasonable race, 10 miles isn’t bad — anyone could do it; Washington, D.C., in the fall is one of the prettiest cities I’ve seen; and you get to rub shoulders with so many heroes. You don’t know who they are, but they’ve likely been overseas and they’re heroes.”

Race date: Oct. 2, 2005
Web site: www.armytenmiler.com

Taking It Overseas
The Anaconda Ten-Miler

For the past two years, servicemembers in Iraq have held their own 10-mile race to mirror the stateside Army Ten-Miler. The Anaconda Ten-Miler, named for the base where it is held, was created to provide a much-needed morale boost to the troops.

“It gives [servicemembers] something to look forward to and a chance to do something that people back in the United States are doing as well. Soldiers love a challenge, and this race provides them with [one],” says Maj. Willie Rios, USA, the race’s organizer.

Although the turnout for 2004 was slightly lower than in 2003, organizers say they will hold the race as long as troops are stationed in Iraq. That’s good news for participants who welcome the challenge of running a race in a combat zone. Plus, 1st Lt. Lauren Milks, USA, says holding the Anaconda Ten-Miler delivers an important message to the enemy.

“This event gave the message to the insurgents that we are not afraid. They will not disrupt our ability to build esprit de corps, morale, and welfare in a combat zone,” says Milks. “This [run] conveyed that soldiers will go the distance to continue operations and complete the mission.”