WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Whether it’s the East Wenatchee Air and Space Force recruiting office, or her local track, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Athena Garretson believes that discipline and passion are critical to meeting your goals.
In February 2025, Garretson, a 361st Recruiting Squadron enlisted accessions recruiter, moved to East Wenatchee, Washington, to become the sole active-duty Air and Space Force recruiter in the area. Garretson, who is also an avid runner in addition to starting her recruiter career this year, has been selected for the Air Force Team participating in the 2025 Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.
For Garretson, this will be the seventh time she has been selected as a part of the Air Force Team for the Air Force Marathon. Her first time competing in the international event was in 2017 after learning about the Department of the Air Force Sports website.
“I didn’t realize the Air Force had different sports teams where they basically sponsor your entry fees and all of your travel to go and participate in different sporting events,” said Garretson. “I had a coworker at my first duty station who was really good at volleyball, and he had applied for the Air Force sports team to play volleyball. I was like ‘Do they have running events?’ and he said ‘Of course!’”
The process of getting selected for a specific sport’s Air Force team involves applying through the DAF Sports website, inputting your credentials and information, then waiting until the end of the selection process to see if you were chosen, said Garretson.
Even though Garretson has been chosen for the marathon team several times now, she still feel that it’s a big deal whenever she is selected.
“There’s a lot of fast people in the Air Force, you input your stats, but somebody could beat you out,” said Garretson. “I still waver on whether or not I’ll get selected, it’s not a guaranteed thing.”
Garretson, who found her passion for running in high school, spends a great deal of time each week not only training for her next marathon, but also using running as self-care.
“Some people like to play video games or something else to relive stress,” said Garretson. “For me, running is the one time my brain can just think about one thing versus being a pile of spaghetti.”
Garretson, who typically runs between 35 to 45 miles a week, talked about the love and support she has received from her husband, David, and their cat, Luna, throughout her running career. Garretson is passionate about sharing her love of the sport and takes time, whenever possible, to encourage others to give it a try.
“I think running allows you to challenge yourself in the best way, it’s a healthy challenge,” said Garrettson. “It gives you a chance to do something you didn’t know you were capable of.”
This year Garretson will run the half-marathon event at the AF Marathon where her focus will be beating her previous time but also enjoying the camaraderie and fun that comes from competing with fellow service members and participants.
Garretson’s passion as a runner has not only improved her readiness as an Airman and as an individual but also showcases one of the Air Force’s core values, Excellence In All We Do.
Update on Sept. 25, 2025:
Garretson placed 12th out of 280 military females, 24th out of 1047 overall women, and 169th out of 2,367 total participants in the half-marathon event. She completed the race in one hour, 47 minutes, and 30 seconds.