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Selfridge Airmen Plan 'Tanker Trot'

  • Published
  • By TSgt. Dan Heaton
  • 127th Wing Public Affairs
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. --  Can you run faster than a tanker?

Hmmm, probably not. But you can participate in the first Selfridge Tanker Trot.

The Saturday, Oct. 1, event will feature a 5K run or walk, a 10K run and/or an 18-mile bike ride on the base. Participants can also choose to participate in both the 5K run and 18-mile bike ride as part of a mini-duathalon. The event is being organized by members of the 127th Air Refueling Group, which operates the KC-135 Stratotankers at Selfridge - hence the name "Tanker Trot."

"It's about fitness, but also about getting together and doing something fun, building esprit de corps around the base," said TSgt. David Bowers, a flight line crew chief with the 127th ARG, who is helping to organize the run, along with Staff Sgt. Shaun Kelly, who works in the repair and reclamation shop for the ARG.

Both of the organizers are avid runners themselves, with Bowers normally running about 30 miles a week. Kelly has participated in several triathlon events, which features a combination of distance running, biking and swimming.

"There's a big push on for fitness around the wing, and this is a fun way to encourage that," Kelly said.

The Tanker Trot will also serve as a fundraiser for the 127th Family Readiness Group, which provides assistance to Selfridge-based military members and their families during deployments and in times of need.

The event is limited to those individuals who already have access to the base.

The 5K and 10K will both begin at 8 a.m. with a half-mile kids fun run for those ages 6-12 to start shortly thereafter. The bike ride, which will feature two loops around the perimeter of the base, will begin at 9 a.m. The 5K, 10K or bike race costs $25 to enter. There is a $35 fee to enter both the bike and the running race. The kids run is free.

All racers will receive a t-shirt and awards will be presented for top finishers in age categories. A cookout will be held after the racers, which will be free to participants and $5 for others. All bike riders must wear a helmet during the race.

Registration for the race may be made online at www.goracego.com.