Team Dyess runs for Arthritis

Members of Team Dyess 12-man relay team runs through the air park to train for their upcoming 223 mile relay race Oct. 6, 2011, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The relay race is scheduled for Oct. 14-15 from Austin to Corpus Christi, Texas, in support of Arthritis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Peter Thompson/Released)

Published Oct. 12, 2011
By Senior Airman Robert Hicks
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Twelve Dyess airmen will participate in the 2nd Annual Capital to Coast Oct. 12-15, a 223-mile relay race to raise money for arthritis research.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis with no known cure and an estimated 67 million Americans will be affected in the next 20 years.

More than 75 teams across the United States will run from Austin, Texas to Corpus Christi, Texas raising $90,000 for the Arthritis Foundation.

Going into the event, the team's goal was to complete the run in a timely manner with no injuries sustained to any of the runners.

"We wanted to participate in the relay race not only to challenge ourselves and see if we can accomplish the tasking, but we wanted to support the Arthritis Foundation," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Deynzer, 7th Component Maintenance Squadron.

According to the Capital to Coast Web site, the difference between this relay and others is its landscape, weather, elevation and length.

The 12-man team trains daily to prepare for the upcoming challenges they'll face during the longest relay race in America.

Throughout the week, the runners train from three to five times a week, running around the track, airpark, and on occasions, they get together and run a 10k.

"When I train, I try to run as far as I can and time myself. Throughout the week I try to beat my previous time, said Staff Sgt. Matthew Patty, 7th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. "Along with running sprints and leg exercises, I also try to eat healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables.

Each runner on the team is responsible for three legs throughout the relay race ranging from 18-20 miles.

"The recovery aspect is going to be the hardest part," Patty said. "We're going to go from running to straight cold and sitting in the car.

The competitors are:

Capt. Jon Van Nostrand,

2nd Lt. Joseph Plata,

2nd Lt. James Hedgepeth,

Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Deynzer,

Master Sgt. Travis Topel,

Master Sgt. Roelma Wood,

Master Sgt. Michael Strickland,

Tech. Sgt. Albert Herrera,

Staff Sgt. Sabrina Marcello,

Staff Sgt. Matthew Patty,

Staff Sgt. Samantha Brewer,

Senior Airman Jonathan Royder,