National Guard runners beat heat, pound ground to qualify for 2012-2013 All Guard Marathon

LINCOLN, Neb. - Runners from throughout the Army and Air National Guard took part in the 35th Annual Lincoln National Guard Marathon and Half-Marathon Sunday in order to earn spots on the 2012-1013 All Guard Marathon Team.

A total of 216 Army and Air National Guard runners from 44 states and two territories competed for one of 55 slots on the marathon team.

With a second consecutive win here, Army Capt. Robert Killian of the Colorado Army Guard came in with a time of 2:37:35 and Army Capt. Sara Day of the North Carolina Army Guard was the top Guard female runner with a time of 3:02:22.

All who tried out put forth a top effort.

"There wasn't a runner out there who didn't give 150 percent," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Mike Hagen, the All Guard Marathon Team coordinator.

Runners faced many challenges along the route, including the weather.

With an original weather forecast for temperatures in the 90s and potential rain, runners were spared a wet race start and were afforded cooler temperatures throughout the day. While the start of the race was mostly dry, the heat and humidity set in later on.

Before the race, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Burch, sergeant major of the Army National Guard, anticipated the conditions might be challenging, rain or shine, but he encouraged the runners to give it their all.

"You have to dig deep and stay committed," he said. "Always place the mission first. This marathon is your mission right now. Never accept defeat. And never quit."

About 15 new runners qualified for the team this year.

"The new team members will bring talent and experience on a competitive and professional level," Hagen said, adding that this year's team is a good mix of Army and Air Guard members.

To make the team, runners had to run the full marathon - 26.2 miles. Army Maj. Gen. Timothy Kadavy, deputy director of the Army National Guard, asked runners not to focus on that number, but rather on the number .007.

"This is the number of men and women serving in uniform," he said. "Seven tenths of 1 percent represent the best of America."

Of this small percent, an even smaller number are distance runners.

"Your presence here at this marathon is a testament to your commitment," Burch said. "That kind of commitment is what makes us professional Soldiers and Airmen."

Members of the 2012-1013 All Guard Marathon Team include: