SJAFB Airman to compete in World Military Cross Country Championship

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Victoria Boyton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Capt. Matthew Williams, 4th Medical Operations Squadron medical services flight commander, has only been stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, for less than a month, but is already representing the base at the Conseil International du Sport Militaire World Military Cross Country Championship this month.

The 57th CISM World Military Cross Country Championship is scheduled to take place, Nov. 3-7, 2017, in Balatonakazarattya, Hungary.

Only seven male Airmen qualified to compete in the CISM World Military Cross Country Championship this year, making up the majority of the U.S. Armed Forces male team. One female Airman also qualified and will be competing in the female championship as well.

Williams completed the majority of his training for the event at his previous duty station, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. At Peterson AFB, Williams trained alongside two other Airmen competing in this year’s CISM World Military Cross Country Championship, one of them being 1st Lt. Riley Coates, 21st Force Support Squadron chief of food operations.

Coates first met Williams in 2011 at the Air Force Academy and describes Williams as easy-going, humble and selfless.

“We had a good team at Peterson, we all trained together, it was a good routine, high altitude was really good for distance running, there are a lot of trails, it’s kind of like a perfect training environment,” said Williams.

While preparing for any race Williams follows a running training plan.

“During the bulk of a main training block, I run 80-90 miles per week,” said Williams.

Williams added, during the weeks closer to the day of the race he tapers down and only runs 40-50 miles per week to focus more on resting.

This is not the first time Williams will be competing at the CISM World Military Cross Country Championship; his first time was in 2010.

“International racing is a lot different than racing here in the states,” said Williams.

Williams describes his experience running cross country in the United States on courses with well-groomed paths as opposed to the intentionally more challenging European cross country courses.

“There’s 90 degree turns, narrow pathways, lots of mud and sometimes they put hay bales out that you have to jump over,” said Williams. “It’s fun, but it’s a totally other style of racing.”

Even though Williams was not familiar with the more unpredictable type of course, he still finished as the top U.S. member at the 2010 championship.

Williams is an Air Force physical therapist and uses his experiences in competitive running to help treat his patients.

“My job as a physical therapist has been dramatically shaped by my personal experience in the professional running world,” said Williams. “I have had the opportunity to be coached by some of the best distance-running coaches, strength coaches and be treated by great clinicians through my running experiences.”

Coates described one time Williams helped him recover from an injury.

“I was going through a tough injury that was hampering my running career. I was struggling mentally and didn't have too many people around who could understand what I was going through,” said Coates. “Being a physical therapist and a selfless friend, he was able to treat me and got me back to full health.”

Williams feels fortunate to have the gift of running, which in turn allows him to help others going through physical therapy.

“It’s something I’m truly passionate about,” Williams said. “I love running, and I love helping others. My job allows me to do both and I can’t wait for the race to begin!”