Slots are filling up fast for this year’s Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, in mid September, according to race organizers. As of Thursday, they said the marathon is 80 percent full and the remaining slots are selling quickly. “Just like the Boston Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, and so many other races, we have seen an unprecedented surge in registrations this year,” said Molly Louden, race director. “From the day we opened on Jan. 1, we have been running 200 percent ahead of last year’s numbers.” The marathon includes multiple events: a five-kilometer race on Sept. 16, and a full marathon, half marathon, 10k race, and wheelchair race on Sept. 17. “I would encourage anyone who wants to run with us to register now before we sell out,” said Louden. (Wright-Patterson release) (For more information, see the Air Force Marathon website.)
U.S. Air Force F-35s and F-22s regularly deploy deep into the Pacific region from Alaska, Utah, and Hawaii. In the future, though, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command would like to see the Air Force permanently station fifth-generation aircraft west of the international date line—closer to China.