EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska — A family visit to Alaska turned into an unforgettable day of competition for the Bergquist family during Eielson Air Force Base’s Sweets Run, Aug. 15.
The community running event offered participants three distances: a 5K, 10K, and half marathon. Master Sgt. Michael Bergquist, assigned to the 168th Wing Chapel office, Alaska Air National Guard, and his family attended the race, one of several activities planned during their visit from Washington.
The Bergquists traveled to Alaska to spend time together and get away from the wildfires affecting the Spokane area. As a family of triathletes, adding the Sweets Run to their itinerary was an easy decision.
Michael and his wife, Senior Master Sgt. Amanda Bergquist, a member of the Washington Air National Guard, competed in the 10K. The husband-and-wife duo dominated the field, finishing first and second overall.
Michael crossed the finish line first despite running just 10 weeks after breaking his left leg.
Bergquist said, “The race became even more challenging when he was led off course twice by the lead vehicle, adding extra distance to his run.”
Amanda finished only a few minutes behind him, taking first among the female competitors while also finishing ahead of every other male runner in the race.
But the most remarkable performance of the day came from their son, Mercury, who is 16 years old and competed in his first half marathon.
Before the Sweets Run, Mercury had never raced farther than a 5K. Despite the unfamiliar distance, he quickly established himself at the front of the half marathon field.
“Mercury opened the race at such a fast pace that the lead vehicle had to slow him down to allow the other runners to see an early, unmarked turn,” said Michael. “Race organizers had not expected the turn to require additional marking because of its location so early in the course.”
The race organizers were hoping to see a runner finish the half marathon in under two hours.
"When Mercury completed the first of the race’s two loops in 44 minutes, it became clear they were witnessing a much faster performance," said Michael.
Feeling strong and confident with the distance, Mercury increased his pace during the second loop, completing it in just 38 minutes. He crossed the finish line in 1:22:41.
His time was not only the fastest half marathon of the day, but also faster than both of his parents’ 10K paces and even faster than the winning 5K pace.
Afterward, Mercury told his parents he felt good throughout the race and believed he could have run the distance again in the same amount of time.
The family’s impressive performances came as no surprise to those familiar with their athletic backgrounds. Michael is a former All Air Force Male Athlete of the Year, while Amanda previously competed on the National Guard’s Elite Marathon Team and the All Air Force Triathlon Team.
For the Bergquist family, what began as a chance to spend time together during a family visit became a memorable day of competition, with three family members finishing at the top of their respective races.
The Sweets Run offered more than a race; it gave the Bergquists a chance to share their love of competition, challenge themselves, and create a story they will likely talk about for years to come.