Military Academy Members Race for Bragging Rights on Dahlgren Trail

Cadets and midshipmen from four of the nation’s five military service academies battled it out in February, not on a field or court, but on a tree-lined trail in King George County, VA. After 13.2 miles and about 75 minutes of running, give or take a few seconds, the Falcons from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs soared to victory during a half-marathon on the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail. The flyers-to-be were led by Daniel Hanna, an 18-year-old freshman who finished first among academy members with a time of 1:13:21 and second in the overall race. “I wasn’t expecting this, there are a lot of great runners here,” Hanna said. “It was an honor to run with everyone.” The competition marked the first time the cadets and midshipmen participated in the popular half-marathon, said Jim Lynch, president of the Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail. Read more.