“It’s super cool,” said Air Force Marathon Director Rob Aguiar. “If you ask me it’s a perfect name for an Air Force-related running event.”
The mascot will join a line-up of more than 15,000 runners around the globe at the starting line at Wright-Patterson for a series of races. The marathon marks its 20th anniversary Sept. 17.
Traditionally, mascots have been “good luck charms” for teams or events, Aguiar said.
“Bringing on a mascot was about bringing on a little more entertainment for our runners, our spectators, our volunteers and we feel that our mascot is going to bring everybody into the event and really provide long-lasting memories.”
Marathon officials are looking for a few good performers before the human-sized eagle makes its debut.
A mascot tryout is set from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 6 in the Wright State University Nutter Center’s McLin Gym.
Aguiar said he’s looking for at least a dozen volunteers to take turns in the eagle outfit. Because of the size and weight of the costume, performers must be between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet 1 inch tall and physically fit, officials said. Candidates should pre-register at www.usafmarathon.com/volunteer prior to the tryout. Then click on the red “volunteer now” button and select the “mascot auditions pre-registration” link, organizers said.
Would-be performers should be at least 16 years old and those younger than 18 need a parent or legal guardian to sign a waiver, the marathon said.
Rick Perron, marathon marketing coordinator, drew a sketch of the future mascot and chose Tailwind’s name. “The name came to me even before I finished the rough sketch,” he said.
What the new mascot looks like will remain a mystery for now, said Aguiar, who eagerly awaited the arrival of the costumed eagle this week from a New York-based company.
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