Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Master Sgt. Michael Dupertuis, aircrew flight equipment superintendent assigned to the 6th Operations Support Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, is part of a select group of athletes driven to compete in the sport of ultramarathon running.  To date, he has completed two ultramarathons and many shorter long-distance races. (Photo by Alannah Don)MacDill Airman competes in ultramarathons
                        
                        
                        Master Sgt. Michael Dupertuis, the aircrew flight equipment superintendent for the 6th Operations Support Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., is part of a select group of athletes driven to compete in the sport of ultramarathon running. To date, he has completed two ultramarathons and many shorter long-distance races. (Courtesy photo/Alannah Don)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

MacDill Airman competes in ultramarathonsPublished Aug. 6, 2016
                    
                    By Alannah Don
                    
                    
                    6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
            **MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --***(This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, highlighting their Air Force story.)*
Inspiration for the modern marathon, a 26.2-mile race, stems from military origins. Legend tells of a Greek soldier who ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of the defeated Persian army. More than two millennia later, one Airman at MacDill Air Force Base is writing his own story.
Master Sgt. Michael Dupertuis, the aircrew flight equipment superintendent for the 6th Operations Support Squadron, is part of a select group of athletes driven to compete in the sport of ultramarathon running. An ultramarathon is any race that is longer than the traditional marathon length of 26.2 miles; typically, they run between 30 to 100 miles.
Though he tackles the distance now, Dupertuis never planned to become a serious runner, let alone an ultramarathon athlete.
“The Big D Marathon in Dallas, Texas, was eye opening. By about mile 18 my body started breaking down,” said Dupertuis, recalling how unforgiving the pavement had been.
After he completed his first traditional street marathon, Dupertuis said he never intended to continue running.
But he did.
His interest in running began while stationed at Moody AFB, Georgia, where he was introduced to trail running during daily physical training.
“I’ve always enjoyed being outside and running in the woods,” Dupertuis said. “It’s quieter, less crowded and lets me enjoy the wildlife and terrain around me.” 
He continued trail running at a subsequent duty station and explained, the more he ran, the more he enjoyed the sport. With the support of a nearby trail running community and his family, Dupertuis attempted his first ultramarathon.
“I started running ultramarathons because I wanted to prove to myself and others that I could,” said Dupertuis. “I had already run a marathon and I figured that 50 kilometers wasn’t much further.”
However, Dupertuis explained his first ultramarathon, a 50K, started off on the wrong foot -- a failure he believes to be the result of inadequate preparation.
“I was going back out to do the last eight miles and I tripped, caught my toe and my legs cramped up,” he said. “Everything cramped up and I was exhausted. I pushed through because my wife and kids were going to be at the finish line. I wanted to show my kids that if you push, you can finish anything you start.”
Dupertuis explained it took him three-and-a-half hours to finish the last eight miles of the race. However, despite his defeat, he was determined to try again. To date, Dupertuis has logged two ultramarathons and many shorter long-distance races. His longest run so far is a 100K ultramarathon.
“I found the 100K because I was looking for a 50-mile race,” Dupertuis said.
Dupertuis explained that the race website advertised a medal for everyone that finished, but something more attractive caught his eye. 
“Those who completed the 100K would get a big ole’ belt buckle, and being me, I decided to run 12 more miles,” he said.
Dupertuis explained that except for a brief period of doubt around mile 30, his 100K performance significantly improved from his first marathon. 
“I felt good the whole time; I was just enjoying it,” said Dupertuis. “The last 16 miles were nothing but rain and I loved it. Running in the dark with only a headlamp, slopping through the mud, made me feel like a kid again.”
Dupertuis’ accomplishment is largely the result of extensive conditioning, which he claims is key to completing an ultramarathon.
“During the week, I run twice a day and cross-train with weights,” Dupertuis said. “On the weekends, I do a pace run on Saturday and a long run on Sunday.  The idea is to run on tired legs so your body is used to it during a race.”
For new runners, the feat of an ultramarathon may seem out of reach, but Dupertuis encourages others to start small by building a strong base and gradually adding distance as he did.
“I didn’t start running until Master Sgt. Dupertuis introduced me to trail running two years ago,” said Peter Raspitzi, a friend and neighbor. “Running up and down the hills was difficult at first, but now I train about once a week with him.”
Raspitzi explained that although he has completed a few short-distance races, he plans to leave ultramarathon running to his neighbor, who he describes as exceptionally driven.
“I think his drive and determination is what makes him so successful,” Raspitzi said. “I told him he was out of his mind to run an ultramarathon, but he was determined to prove that he could. When he puts his mind to something, he does it.”MacDill AFB 



marathon 



TAE Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF Kendall visits Bangor ANG Base
                    
                    Vice President Harris congratulates USAFA Class of ‘24
                    
                    Senate confirms Melissa Dalton as next Under Secretary of the Air Force
                    
                    ‘One Team, One Fight’: SecAF visits Keesler AFB
                    
                    SecAF Kendall experiences VISTA of future flight test at Edwards AFBInnovation
                AFSFC reaches final phase of fielding Model Defender gear
                    
                    Around the Air Force: PCS Allowances, Air Task Forces, All-Volunteer Force
                    
                    AFIMSC focuses I-WEPTAC topics on GPC solutions
                    
                    Optimizing AI, Air University hosts Artificial Intelligence Symposium
                    
                    AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAFMAJCOM News
                AFMC to expand AcqDemo workforce
                    
                    AFMC empowers small businesses for Air Force reoptimization
                    
                    Acquisition Instructor Course Class 25A open for nominations
                    
                    Air Guard leaders host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
                    
                    Referral bonuses aim to help fill mission-critical vacancies
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil