The P-38 Lightning will be the second retired aircraft to headline the 2023 History & Heritage Race Series, powered by the Air Force Marathon, beginning March 1.
The event marks the second of six virtual races during the series’s third season. Each event features its own historical aircraft vital to the Air Force’s past. All can be found in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
“The History and Heritage Race Series is a unique way to connect with Air Force culture while getting your exercise in,” said Rachael Ferguson, director of the Air Force Marathon. “Participants have a variety of distances they can choose from, and will receive a pretty cool medal and patch … completely unique to the series and not found at any of our other Air Force Marathon events.”
The Air Force developed the P-38 Lightning as a single-seat, twin piston-engined fighter aircraft, which was used during various missions throughout World War II. Along with its use as a general fighter, the aircraft performed many different operations including dive bombing, level bombing, bombing through clouds, strafing, photo reconnaissance and long range escort.
History and Heritage Race Series competitors will receive a patch and information card highlighting the marquee aircraft, finisher’s medal and downloadable completion certificate.
Registration for each of the series’s six races is $30.
Runners have the option to compete in the marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K. Each participant may also run or walk the full distance at any destination of their choosing. Results can be uploaded using a GPS-tracking app that confirms time and mileage, but this step is not required to receive your race packet.
For more information and to register for the race, visit https://www.usafvirtual.com.
For details about the P-38 Lightning, visit https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196280/lockheed-p-38l-lightning/.
