LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 1, 2024) — William Burns, a cadet in University of Kentucky’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 290, shattered expectations last weekend at the 2024 Air Force Marathon, placing second overall with a personal best time of 2:39:59.
The UK senior, from Falmouth, Kentucky, is majoring in community and leadership development in the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
This marked Burns’ fourth marathon and best time yet. He qualified for the Boston Marathon when he first ran in the Air Force Marathon in 2022. Realizing the competitive nature of the Boston Marathon, he trained rigorously for the 2023 Buffalo Marathon to surpass the qualifying standard, finishing with an impressive 2:44:58 and earning a spot in Boston.
His experience at this year’s Boston Marathon was both humbling and eye-opening for Burns, as he learned the importance of pacing and preparation. Determined to improve, he sought coaching from Olympian Juli Benson, leading to his best training block yet, free from fatigue. His work culminated in his 2nd place finish last weekend.
Now, with his sights set on the Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program, he continues to push his limits and explore how far he can go in the sport.
“This accomplishment means a lot to me … the support I have received from my friends, family, cadre, Detachment 290, and my coach are the only way I have been able to be in the position I am in right now,” Burns said. “I am extremely hopeful for what the future entails, based on all the support I have received.”
Burns said UK’s Air Force ROTC detachment, based in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, is what inspired him to attend UK.
“At Detachment 290 we have developed a professional and extremely supportive culture that develops cadets into leaders and wingmen for the United States Air Force,” he said. “The overall community within AFROTC is the best community I’ve been a part of. Following and applying the professional standards of the Air Force to my life has been the greatest thing I have ever done as it has allowed me to find success within academics at the University of Kentucky, the connections I’ve developed here at UK and within the marathon.”
The Air Force Marathon is an annual endurance event held in September at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. First held in 1997 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Air Force, the marathon has grown into a 13,500-participant event, with runners from all 50 states and many countries.
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