From Wickenburg to Mesa … on foot

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Most people probably haven't heard of the small town of Wickenburg, Ariz. After all, the high-desert town, which is home to only about 5,000 people and is famous for giving the right-of-way to horses, kind of gets lost on the map.

But on Feb. 29 Wickenburg was the starting point for 10 D-M members who embarked on a 182-mile journey to Mesa, Ariz. ... on foot.

"We did this to promote physical fitness in the Air Force, reinforce our warrior ethos and to raise money for Chances for Children, which is an Arizona children's charity," said Tech. Sgt. Diane Burleson, 355th Fighter Wing unit deployment manager and the team captain of Team D-M - Desert Lightning Fit to Fight.

The Ragnar Relay del Sol was a relay-style race, with each member of the team running various distances.

"Each person ran at their own pace," said Sergeant Burleson. "It was a relay race and the 10 members each ran their three designated legs of the race, which were about six hours apart."

The 182-mile run took the 10-person team just 23 hours and 44 minutes to complete, but it didn't come without enduring some early setbacks.

"In the days leading up to the race we lost three runners to injury, one to a short notice deployment, and another to PCS orders," said Sergeant Burleson.

Luckily, three of Team D-M's alternates jumped at the chance to participate in the race.

To make up for the two missing runners Sergeant Burleson asked four of the team members to take on additional legs of the race.

"Amazingly the response was, 'Whatever you need, I just want to run with you guys,'" said Sergeant Burleson.

Two runners short of a complete team, D-M took the finish line by storm.

"We finished in 23rd place overall out of 151 teams and captured the first place award in the Public Service division," said Sergeant Burleson. "I will tell you that at the moment of victory not one of us could or would have tried to take credit for the feeling of accomplishment that overcame us - we looked at our teammates with pride and amazement knowing every single one of us gave our all."

10 runners, 2 drivers, 23 hours, 182 miles
"During the preparation for this race, it became clear just how awesome our Air Force family is," said Sergeant Burleson. "Here we were, 12 people who didn't know each other, seamlessly coming together as a team to accomplish a goal. We all had one thing in common-wanting to show what our Air Force can do and what our Airmen do every day-not for glory but for pride."

In the end it wasn't about finishing first, medals or trophies, it was about a team coming together to accomplish a common goal.

"Ten random Airmen volunteered to run together and they reminded me that with steadfast drive and enthusiastic determination, you can do anything and everything you put your mind to," said Sergeant Burleson. "When you allow yourself to rely on others and believe in them your capabilities increase tenfold."

The final running team for D-M consisted of six men and four women ranging in age from 19 to 46. Below are Team D-M's participants:

1st Lt. Joshua Singsaas, (27.4 miles), Staff Sgt. Michael Senigo, (21.8 miles), Senior Airman Dustin Kuuttila, (21.8 miles), Chief Master Sgt.(Ret.) Jeffrey Halstead, (18.3 miles), Airman 1st Class David White, (17.6 miles), 1st Lt. Cristina Luis, (16.3 miles), Senior Airman Tamara Schonerstedt, (15.9 miles), 1st Lt. Elithe Zoglman, (14.7 miles), 1st Lt. Anthony Simpson, (14.6 miles), and Tech. Sgt. Diane Burleson, (13.3 miles).

In addition to lodging provided by Marriott and supplies from the 355th Medical Group, Trader Joe's, and Performance Footwear, Team D-M also received financial support from Dorothy Finley, Military Affairs Committee, the D-M 1st 6 Council, the D-M Chief's Group, the Maricopa County Superior Court Probation Department, the 355th Mission Support Group, the 355th Comptroller Squadron, and the teams two drivers, Laszlo Otvos and Danele Elliott.

The group also received personal donations from Col. Kent Laughbaum, 355th Fighter Wing commander, Col. Bruce McClintock, 355th FW vice commander, and Col. Hal Hoxie, 355th MSG commander.