Going for the gold

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robby Hedrick
  • 75 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Every year, thousands of athletes train their hearts, bodies and minds for a single opportunity to validate the hours of blood, sweat and tears put into one athletic endeavor. They paid the price and their training prepared them for a once in a lifetime opportunity to be the best at a particular event and a chance to win a gold medal. 

Then there are the rest of us. Those who go to work every day, working in a cubicle or factory and doing the best we can to keep off a few extra pounds and maintain the little shape and conditioning we have left. The struggles faced are endless long hours, conferences, deadlines, and children's after-school activities. However, there is a tangible reward for fitness some have chosen to train for with the little time they can spare...the Golden Shoe. 

The Golden Shoe, is an old running shoe spray-painted gold and given as a trophy to the first person to cross the finish line in a one-mile race with a timed handicap included.
"We spared no expense," said Andy Flowers, director of Manpower, Personnel and Training. 

The event, which has been going on for the past 16 months, usually takes place on the third Thursday of each month and occurs at the track across from the Warrior Fitness Center or along perimeter road. The event started as a motivational run among friends to challenge one another to do their best and build unity. 

The Golden Shoe was added after the first few races in order to give the winner something to display on his desk. The winner is allowed to keep the "Shoe" for one month, or longer if they continue to win. 

The event is based around each individual's projected one-mile run time. Ideally, those who can run an 8 minute mile would start four minutes after those who can push out a 12 minute mile resulting in everyone finishing at the same time. 

"Everyone predicting their own finish times-- the idea is that on a perfect day, we'll all cross the finish line at the same time," said Mr. Flowers. "Since the starts are staggered, you try to catch the one in front of you without being passed by the one behind you."
The benefits include at least one race a month, allowing competitors to push themselves and others in an effort to stay in shape. 

"Our goal is to lower our mile time by 2 percent each month," said Mr. Flowers. "At that rate, in a few years, we will be breaking the world record." 

Although scheduled meetings and Temporary Duty assignments interfere with the number of competitors, there are generally at least six competitors in the event every month. Competitors include two McDonald's All-American runners, both of whom have never won the 'Shoe' and consecutively have been beaten under the rules of the competition. They are up against engineers, various office personnel and weekend warriors. 

"Our two McDonald's All-Americans have yet to win the Golden Shoe, even though the actual shoe is one of theirs," said Mr. Flowers. "The rest of us who eat at McDonalds routinely beat them under the rules of the competition." 

Christy Felton, 516 Software Maintenance Squadron, is the only one to have won on more than two occasions and runs a sub-9 minute mile at an undisclosed age.
Jim Aadaland, 507 Aircraft Sustainment Squadron, another sub-9 minute miler, was the first winner of the Golden Shoe. 

"Jim, who only dreamed of being an All-American, was the first winner," said Mr. Flowers. "Christy is our only repeat winner, although both are engineers and receive a handicap because they have trouble counting the laps." 

Just like any other event where elite competition is going for the gold, it is not just open to anyone. A person must be invited to join the competition. 

"To enter you must be invited by one of the original members, and have a pulse," said Mr. Flowers. 

The race is all in fun, but still a highly competitive event that pushes the competitors to their limits and provides them with a goal to achieve along the way. 

"Anyone can win and the 'Shoe' is highly coveted," said Mr. Flowers. "It's bragging rights for a whole month and the closest most of us has ever come to winning a race."