26th Run for Aviation is a hit, sees first woman marathon winner

Warner Robins’ Museum of Aviation Foundation hosted its 26th annual Run for Aviation on Saturday, offering a variety of athletic events to its 670 participants, according to the Foundation’s President and CEO Darlene McClendon.

“Well, one thing that we strategically had planned with this event is [it’s] always kind of been the opening event for the new year,” McClendon said. “Our annual marathon is a great way to launch a new year.

“Whether an athlete has been training for one of the longer races or uses this event as a starting point to their New Year’s resolutions, all levels of participation are encouraged.”

The Run for Aviation provided a way for participants to have a jump start on their New Year’s resolutions involving fitness — including a marathon, half-marathon, 5K Run/Walk and a Para-Athletes Race.

“Back in 2018, we also added a division for para-athletes and hand-cyclists,” McClendon said. “We partner with Paralyzed Veterans of America, and members of their national cycling team usually complete with us each year.

“We’re very excited about our event being as inclusive as it can be, and in particular, to honor veterans that compete in all categories — and that category is very special to us, as well.”

Along with the Para-Athletes division of the event, officials also offered a virtual participation option. However, virtual participants weren’t able to receive awards like participants of the in-person event.

The event’s course runs through Robins AFB alongside the Museum of Aviation, and it serves as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The course is also certified by USA Track & Field, the national governing body involved in the sport.

Awards were given to the overall top three male and female finishers in each race, the overall top three male and female masters (40 years and older that didn’t win overall), the top active duty military male and female in the marathon, along with the top three finishers in age categories, according to a press release sent from the Foundation.

This year, the event saw its first woman winner of the marathon: Sadie Smith, 42, of St. Louis, Missouri, with a time of 3 hours, 5 minutes, 58 seconds.

McClendon said the event brought participants from all over the country, mentioning one specific mother and her two daughters. The mother lives in Michigan, and she ran the marathon with her daughter from South Dakota. The second daughter lives in Connecticut and ran in the half-marathon.

This event usually brings around 40 hotel room bookings for the night before, she added. She said she was pleased that guests from out of town bring business to local hotels and restaurant.

The Museum of Aviation Foundation’s next scheduled event will be The Return (Beatles Tribute Band) live at the Century of Flight Hangar on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. McClendon said the event is sold out at the moment, but the Foundation may release some more seats for sale at the beginning of February.

Follow more of the Foundation’s events and news online at museumofaviation.org or visit their Facebook page.

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