Andrew Heath Receives Tailwind Award for Service at Marathon

2017 Nov 29

Andrew Heath of Gaines, a sport business management major at Cedarville University, was honored this fall by the U.S. Air Force Marathon flight crew organizing committee for serving during this year's marathon.

As one of seven volunteers honored, Heath received the Tailwind Award during the volunteer reception hosted at the Soin Medical Center Kumar Conference. The volunteers were recognized for their good attitudes and willingness to perform any task asked of them.

"Volunteering at this marathon is a great experience because we can observe how the management controls and supervises this event," said Heath, a junior. "It is helpful to learn how to run an event efficiently and effectively, keeping the volunteers in mind; the Air Force Marathon treats its volunteers extremely well. It makes people want to come back and serve every year."

During the first two days of the event, Cedarville students helped with registration, sold T-shirts, and performed other jobs. On the third day, when the U.S. Air Force Marathon takes place, the students assisted with various tasks at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, where the race finished.

People from around the world compete in the U.S. Air Force Marathon, which is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon. The weekend's races include a 5K, 10K and a half and full marathon. Total participants in all events caps at 15,500 registrants. More than 2,300 volunteers are needed to coordinate the weekend's events.

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,963 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.