Marathon doctor to give running clinics at March

  • Published
  • By Megan Just
  • 452nd AMW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. --  In September, more than 130 Team March runners will be traveling to Ohio for the Air Force Marathon, but next week, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, the marathon's chief medical consultant, will be traveling to California to lead two running clinics at March.

In addition to being a veteran of more than 60 marathons and ultramarathons, Dr. Cucuzzella is a family physician and an associate professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine, as well as an Air Force Reserve flight surgeon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

"March Fitness and Inspiration Through Teamwork" co-founders Capt. Linda Baltes, 752nd Medical Squadron, and Lt. Col. Kris Kraiger, Fourth Air Force, met Dr. Cucuzzella during a conference call in February with Newton Running Shoes, one of March FITT's sponsors.

"We shared the vision and strategic goals of March FITT with him and he offered to be a part of what we were doing," Captain Baltes said. "In preparation for the Air Force Marathon, we were already planning to have a running clinic this spring, so we invited him to be the one to lead it."

The clinics will be held Sunday, June 12, starting at the Hap Arnold Club Conference Center, and finishing at the running track. The morning clinic is scheduled from 8-11 a.m. and the afternoon clinic will be held from 1-4 p.m.

All service members, retirees, family members, civilian employees and contractors affiliated with March Air Reserve Base are welcome to participate in the clinics, which are free. Runners of all abilities may attend and membership on March's Air Force Marathon team or March FITT is not required.

"It's very rare to have someone of this caliber come to the base. It's a huge honor and an amazing opportunity," said Captain Baltes. "Whether it's your 100th marathon or your first 5K, everyone can get better."

Dr. Cucazzella's clinics will also benefit Airmen whose running goal is to simply pass or improve their Fit-to-Fight 1.5-mile run.

"If you're in the Air Force, you have to run. Let us help you learn how to do it properly," Captain Baltes said.

At the running clinics, Dr. Cucuzzella will be covering general running principles, including injury-free running, training principles and efficient running. At the track, he will be leading drills and practical training, so participants should come dressed to run.