On May 31, a determined group of 25 runners from Team Minot traveled to Fargo, North Dakota, to participate in the annual Fargo Marathon. Participants challenged themselves by completing events based on their goals and training levels, including the 10K, half marathon, and full marathon distances.
What made this year’s trip special was not just the race itself, but the purpose behind it. The event was organized by Chaplain Brian Harris and Kelli Williamson and funded by Strong Bonds, a chaplain-led resiliency initiative supported by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC). As part of the program, participants were encouraged to connect with fellow runners and attend two resiliency sessions hosted by the Minot AFB Chaplain Corps.
This event wasn’t just about running, It was about strengthening the bonds between Airmen, their families and building a support network that extends beyond the finish line.”
Forrest Anciso, one of the marathon participants, completed the full 26.2-mile race. “Honestly, my goal was to try and qualify for Boston,” he said. “But I had some issues this time.” Despite the challenges, Anciso, who has run both the Fargo and Bismarck marathons every year, emphasized the importance of preparation. “My advice would be to focus on nutrition and running form when training for the full marathon,” he said. “The best part about the group was meeting new people. This group was created to be like a family, a place for people to go when they’re new to Minot.”
Technical Sergeant Khadir Truth of the 891st Security Forces Squadron also had a powerful reason for joining the event. His journey toward running began a year ago, inspired by a moment of reflection on his birthday. “I started writing down goals, and ‘run a marathon’ ended up on the list,” he explained. As someone managing high blood pressure naturally, running became more than a goal, it became therapy. “It clears your mind and helps your body. I didn’t want to rely on medication, so I started looking for natural ways to take care of myself.”
Truth finished his first half marathon in 2 hours and 24 minutes, surpassing his original goal of three hours. His advice to anyone considering marathon training is simple but powerful: “Make time. At first, the training plan starts slow, but once you hit double-digit miles, you’re taking hours out of your day. If you’re going to start something, finish it. You’ll be proud you did. And pain is part of the process, push through it.”
For Rebekah McCormick, completing the half marathon was about more than miles, it was about setting an example. “This was the first long race I’ve signed up for since having kids, and I wanted to do it as an example for my girls,” she said. “The race training and the race itself were a great experience in pushing through difficult things and trusting God!”
The Fargo Marathon experience highlighted not only the physical endurance of Team Minot members but also the strength found in community, personal growth, and shared goals. With support from Strong Bonds and the Minot AFB Chaplain Corps, these runners proved that resiliency isn’t just built in the gym, it’s forged on the course, in the conversations, within the team and it’s a mindset!
