Friday Expo schedule
At the Wright State University Nutter Center, Fairborn.
Where: Speakers will make their presentations on the arena floor.
10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Bib pick up
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Training clinic with Jeff Galloway*
11 a.m.: Yoga for Runners with instructor Jessica Hardisky from Purpose Yoga
12:30 p.m.: Speaker Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, Air Force Marathon chief medical consultant and two-time AF Marathon winner
1:30 p.m.: Speaker Robert Aguiar, Air Force Marathon Race Director
3 p.m.: Speaker famed runner and author Jeff Galloway
5 p.m.: Speaker Jim Crist, pace team captain
* Training clinic has a fee and requires pre-registration. The rest of the Expo events are free and open to the public.
Air Force Marathon race day schedule – Saturday
All events take place at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
5 a.m.: Runner entry gates open
7:10 a.m.: Marathon and 10K opening ceremonies
7:25 a.m.: Wheeled Marathon start
7:30 a.m.: Marathon and 10K start
8:15 a.m.: Half marathon opening ceremony
8:30 a.m.: Half marathon start
8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Post-Race Festival
Noon: Overall Award Presentations (Festival tent)
5 p.m.: After Party at The Greene
Even if you aren’t inclined to tie up your running shoes, there is something for everyone at the Air Force Marathon.
While the 5K, 10K, half and full marathons are all at capacity — with 15,000 runners slated to compete — there are still ways to get involved for everyone from avid runners to casual spectators.
“Even if you’re not a runner, or even fitness inclined, there are several ways to enjoy the marathon,” said Tiffany Johnson, USAF marathon office marketing specialist.
Sports & Fitness Expo
The annual Sports & Fitness Expo at The Nutter Center on Friday will include a full slate of speakers as well as more than 80 exhibitors featuring the latest developments in sports, fitness and nutrition.
“The expo isn’t just for experienced marathoners, it’s great for newbies or people who are just trying to figure out if running is for them,” Johnson said.
Whether you are racing to the finish line or not, you can participate in a Yoga for Runners class by Jessica Hardisky of Purpose Yoga. Bring your own mat or use one of theirs for this free class.
Guest speakers include world-class athlete and 1972 Olympian Jeff Galloway. The experienced coach and columnist for Runner’s World magazine broke the American 10-mile record in 1973 (47:49) and has posted wins from coast to coast, including both the Boston and Honolulu marathons. The author of the best-seller “Galloway’s Book on Running” will speak at 3 p.m.
Race day
Spectators have a variety of options to choose from on Saturday.
Family and friends are welcome to cheer on their favorite runners at both the start and finish lines. The Fairborn Fly Zone — in the middle of historic downtown Fairborn — is also a prime location for watching the marathon.
In the Fly Zone, spectators will have a chance to see all of the full marathon competitors race by twice as they run along Main Street between miles 8 and 11. The Fly Zone will have live music, children’s entertainment and refreshments from 6:30-11 a.m. Roush’s, at 305 W. Main St., will offer a community breakfast from 6:30-8 a.m.
A shuttle will be available from the starting line to the Fly Zone at 7:30 a.m. and there will be several shuttles from the Fly Zone to the finish line — starting at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.fairbornflyzone.com.
“There will be traffic delays and street closings so people need to plan ahead,” Johnson said.
A spectator map, complete with public parking sites, is available at www.usafmarathon.com.
Post-race festivities
The Post Race Festival will get underway after the first person crosses the finish line on the grounds of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Runners, family, friends and spectators can join in the celebration complete with live music and food vendors.
For those who don’t want the festivities to end, there is an After Party at the Greene from 5-10 p.m. There will be food and live music. Last year, a parachutist kicked off the festivities.
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