Hanscom major named to AFMC's AF marathon team

  • Published
  • By Meredith March
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  The 2008 U.S. Air Force Marathon may still be months away, but a Hanscom servicemember has already won a race-related victory. Maj. Jeffrey Hammond, 651st Electronic Systems Squadron Weather Integration Branch chief, was recently named to the Air Force Materiel Command Running Team. He will be one of just two men, along with two women, representing the command in September's full marathon event.

"I had looked at previous years' results for military finishers. I knew I was in the right range, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I wasn't sure if I'd make it or not, so hearing that I got selected was a really great feeling," Major Hammond said. "I have a really good sense of accomplishment."

Major Hammond began running to benefit his health as a teenager nearly 20 years ago, and quickly progressed to competitive running.

"My family has a history of diabetes and heart problems, so I started running to try and offset that and have a healthier lifestyle. It became competitive in high school with cross country and track. Now, I fluctuate between just doing it for health and gearing up and doing it competitively too," he said.

Prior to applying for the AFMC team, the major, who completed the most recent of his three previous marathons in 2003, set a goal to qualify for the 2009 Boston Marathon. He had already begun training to run a qualifying race when he applied for the opportunity to run in Ohio.

"I needed to run a qualifying time in the summer or fall of this year," Major Hammond said. "So, I started increasing my training and was doing some half marathons and 10K runs. I used those to submit my [Air Force marathon] package."

Because the Air Force marathon is a qualifying race, the stakes are high for Major Hammond. Representing AFMC well would also bring him closer to achieving his Boston Marathon goal.

"Being in the Air Force, running an Air Force marathon is a little more meaningful than running any other. Now that I've been accepted, the pressure is on," he said. "I already have the pressure from my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon, but now that I'm a representative for the command, I want to make sure to do my best."

Whatever the outcome in September, Major Hammond's hard work has already won the respect of those in the Fitness and Sports Center who assisted him in submitting his AFMC team application.

"It is always inspiring when you see military members testing their athletic capabilities, be it on the battlefield on in athletic contests," said Jerry Turnbow, 66th Services Squadron Fitness and Sports director. "Running a marathon is one of the ultimate challenges a runner can accomplish. Being selected to represent AFMC in running the Air Force Marathon is an honor and one which Major Hammond has earned through hard work and dedication."