Team Kirtland helps at marathon Published Nov. 4, 2011 By By Dr. Donald Geeze Medical Director Duke City Marathon KIRTLAND AFB -- Members of Team Kirtland participated Oct. 23 in the 27th Annual Duke City Marathon, including members of the 377th Medical Group. For the past eight years, members of the 377 MDG have provided core medical support for the event. Other Team Kirtland units supported the medical mission. They included people who rode bicycles and all-terrain vehicles to ensure anyone who needed medical attention received it. The ATV riders traveled throughout the race to ensure that people who were incapacitated were taken to the medical tent. Members of the 377 MDG provided care and advice to the runners there. Airman 1st Class Carl Schneider, 377 MDG, had never run a marathon until this event. "I had never run more than 10 miles before," said Schneider. "I wanted to prove a point -- that you can do anything you put your mind to. I also wanted to prove to my chief that I could complete a marathon." Team Kirtland provided medical support during the marathon. They included Senior Airman Andrew Rother, 377 MDG, who rode the lead ATV, and Lt. Col. Linda Bonnel, Air Force Inspection Agency, and her husband Tom, 377th Force Support Squadron, who patrolled on bicycles. Maj. Maria Pugia, a physical therapist with the 377th MDG, and retired Maj. Tamara Hall provided medical assistance. The marathon was a success and the medical mission could not have been accomplished without the support of military and civilian volunteers from Kirtland Air Force Base.