New Jersey Guardsmen trades flightline boots for running shoes to conquer the 130th Boston Marathon Published May 13, 2026 By Donna Jeffries 108th Wing JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - Amid deafening cheers from spectators, Tech. Sgt. Deana Ditri, an Air National Guardsman and Philadelphia native, completed her first 26.2-mile race April 20, 2026, in the 130th Boston Marathon. Ditri joined the Air Force Reserve in 2015 and transferred to the Air National Guard with the 108th Wing in 2023 as part of the KC-46 Pegasus mission. As an aircrew communications technician with the 108th Operations Support Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Ditri ensures aircrew can effectively communicate in flight to complete each mission successfully and safely. Her military duties include troubleshooting, fixing and loading high-tech communication devices aboard the KC-46. As a first-time marathon runner, Ditri chose Boston, one of the oldest and most distinguished annual marathons in the world. After what seemed like a long six hours and 19 minutes, Ditri said the marathon was one of the hardest things she has done, but it was well worth the effort. A penchant for being part of a greater cause led her to participate in the annual event. As an 10-year service member, she is used to "Service Before Self." She said this run was personal, completed in an effort to support a close family member who has been battling drug addiction for years. She applied through the Herren Project, where she has been an active volunteer since 2015. According to its website, the Herren Project is a national nonprofit organization providing free resources and support for the treatment, recovery and prevention of substance use disorder. After watching a documentary on the nonprofit’s founder, Chris Herren, a former NBA player and recovering drug user, she wanted to help not only her family member but others who share that struggle. She applied in 2025 and was not selected, then applied again in 2026 and was accepted. "You don’t need a qualifying time if you do it through a charity organization," Ditri said. In the Boston Marathon’s Official Charity Program, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) allocates a set number of bibs to each participating nonprofit organization. These "charity bibs" are given to runners who commit to raising funds for the cause represented by that organization, allowing them to enter the race without meeting the standard qualifying time. Not new to running, Ditri has participated in 5Ks for several years, including those in Boston. In addition, she keeps in shape to pass an annual military fitness test. For the marathon, she adopted a 20-week training program to prepare for the race. The race begins in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and finishes on Boylston Street near Copley Square and the Boston Public Library. Ditri admitted she walked a little more than she wanted. When her ankle started hurting, she was motivated to continue by remembering Chris Herren’s words: "The pain you go through in a marathon is nothing like the pain an addict experiences." Spectators were another motivator. The Boston Marathon reportedly attracts crowds reaching 500,000. Having been on the sidelines of many marathons cheering others on, she was part of the race this year and the crowds carried her. "The crowd’s energy is like nothing else. People are handing out water and energy snacks and cheering," Ditri said. With less than a mile left and two turns in front of her, Ditri focused on the end and successfully crossed the finish line. "I felt accomplished crossing that finish line and I would do it again," she said.