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Minot Airman places 6th in Air Force Marathon

By Kiley Swopes, Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs / Published September 27, 2012

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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- When Airman 1st Class Kyle Sturdefant, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons section crew chief, was seven years old, he made running a part of his daily routine. Every day when his mom came home from work, Sturdefant would set out for a two mile run.

Sturdefant participated in cross country and track in high school and at the age of 18, he ran in his first full marathon.

To date, Sturdefant has completed four marathons and recently completed his fifth at the annual Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio.

A marathon is a timed race covering a distance of 26.2 miles.

Sturdefant finished sixth out of 2,233 males who completed the race, with a time of two hours 40 minutes and four seconds.

On average, he runs 60 to 80 miles a week. His workout includes a long run on Saturdays which consists of a 15 to 20 mile run.

"I'll run from my dorm [on base] to Buffalo Wild Wings," Sturdefant said. "I'll have friends meet me there with a spare set of clothes."

Sturdefant completes his running routines daily allowing himself some rest only on Sundays.

"My training is all running outside unless it's colder than negative 20 degrees out," Sturdefant said. "Then, I'll go run in the gym or run on a treadmill."

His intense training has grabbed the attention of a few Airmen assigned to the 5th AMXS.

"Every once in a while, I will convince someone to run with me a couple of miles," Sturdefant said. "And they will help me out if I get stranded out in the middle of nowhere on a long run."

Sturdefant explained all the running he does allows for a mental break from the mission because at times, he has to work consecutive 12-hour shifts which are very demanding.

"It was a great opportunity to run in the marathon," Sturdefant said. "I ran with some of the guys on the Air Force Pro Marathon Team and we talked until mile 11 and then I slipped into my own pace. It was a huge honor."
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