Arctic Warriors, ultramarathon tough

Photo By Capt. Patrick Sawicki | Master Sgt. William Wisecup, operations noncommissioned officer, U.S. Army Alaska Aviation Task Force, approaches the 5.5 mile mark at the 6th Annual Ultramarathon, Fairbanks, Alaska, Sept. 20, 2014. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Alaska public affairs)  

FAIRBANKS, AK, UNITED STATES

09.20.2014

Story by Capt. Patrick Sawicki 

United States Army Alaska

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska – Spirits were high and energy filled the air as the frigid rain saturated the 52nd Equinox Marathon and 6th Annual Ultramarathon course the morning of Sept. 20. Master Sgt. William Wisecup, the U.S. Army Alaska Aviation Task Force’s operations noncommissioned officer, was ready and well prepared for this challenge. In fact this Army Aviation leader seeks out and thrives in tough, demanding environments.

“I have routinely heard the stereotypes that aviation Soldiers are not as physically able as other troops, I am not sure what that means, but I can assure you I was driven to prove people wrong,” said Wisecup. “Like any Soldier (aviation or not) we all face challenges throughout our career/lives and we become mentally tough, we need to continue developing that toughness with challenges.”

Running 26.2 miles is tough – when you add in frigid rain, the brisk 40-something air temperature and the extreme Alaskan terrain, you can understand why the Weather Channel’s Sports and Recreation department ranks the Fairbanks Equinox Marathon as one of the 15 toughest marathons in the world. Now imagine running twice that distance, that is the Equinox Ultramnarathon.

Although he has trained with the U.S. Army Alaska 10-miler team and competed in numerous road races, the young master sergeant has always wanted to try an ultramarathon. Through the 10-miler team practices and his commander’s support, he was able to train and accomplish this goal.

“This is a mental challenge to see how far your mind will allow your body to go,” said Wisecup. “I have always enjoyed running and further I love the mental challenge, the ultramarathon was a goal I set and I am glad it is over and that I accomplished it.”

Great business and sports teams talk about goals and reaching those benchmarks and then refocusing on the next goal or championship. The U.S. Army Alaska Aviation Task Force is no different. Their leaders and Soldiers set, prepare and train to achieve numerous goals from flight hours, to deployments to ultramarathon running.

“You have to make a goal and achieve it, settle for nothing less. The goal does not have to be running an ultramarathon, it could be as simple as walking two miles every Sunday with your Family.” said Wisecup. Young Soldiers need to learn about goal setting and how to achieve those goals, the NCOs and more importantly senior leaders have an obligation to lead by example. Training for and completing the 40 mile races fulfilling that obligation and a great workout.

The Equinox Marathon climbs to 3,000 feet at Ester Dome and the weather can vary from eight inches of snow to 65 degrees and sunny. These extreme variables make the race difficult for runners and the isolated course has limited access making it difficult for family members who want to cheer their loved ones on.

For the former drill sergeant and Army aviation operations NCO, this was just another event that required planning, preparation and practice. Running 26.2 miles is tough, running twice that far in unforgiving weather will test anyone’s mental focus and physical resolve. Being confident that you are ready and well prepared certainly helps.

Wisecup completed one of the toughest races in the world; his family was there and just as excited and cold as he was crossing the finish line in 6h 45min. Like any Arctic Tough Leader assigned to U.S. Army Alaska, he was back at work the following Monday.

• Date Taken: 09.20.2014
• Date Posted: 09.25.2014 14:12
• Story ID: 143289
• Location: FAIRBANKS, AK, US
• Hometown: WILMINGTON, OH, US