Most base runners ever laced up for AF marathon Published Sept. 19, 2007 By Janae Daniels AEDC/PA ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Twenty-five runners from Arnold laced up for events at the 11th annual Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Sept. 13-15. Jere Matty, deputy director of the 718th Test Squadron, was the only Arnold participant to run the full marathon and finished with a time of 4:55:04. This was his twelfth marathon. "I'm just crazy enough to do it," he said. "I'm nuts. There's no good reason to run a marathon. Anybody's got an excuse to do one, but most sane people wouldn't run another." 1st Lt. Robert Thornton, developmental engineer for the 718th Test Squadron, has run in marathon events three years in a row. This year he ran on a relay team with his peers. "I enjoy running, and it's good bonding time with my fellow lieutenants," he said. "This year there was a whole bunch of people. Even Colonel Huber, Colonel Jolliffe, Lieutenant Colonel Hack and Maj. Rouser ran as a team." Lieutenant Thornton admitted the older officers beat the young lieutenants; however, the lieutenant claims it wasn't because they were more fit. "They beat us by a few minutes. We had to let them win of course; show a little mercy to the old folks," he said jokingly. According to Sue Sipe, Arnold marathon project officer, strong leadership is the reason so many base personnel participated this year. "I attribute the great increase in participation this year to the result of Arnold having the right people in the right positions of authority doing the right things, such as providing goals, standards and personal example for the rest of us," she said. "They all independently set inspirational sparks that ignited the best of the fitness wingman lifestyle into action here. I am grateful to have been a part of it all."