Taking Peaceful Steps : Military: With Desert Storm memories fresh, good will abounds as civilians and service personnel join in ‘Run of the Runways.’

A year ago, Cpl. Brett Lockeman was sweating over jet engines in the hot Saudi Arabian sun, half a world away from home.

On Sunday the Marine was sweating again, but this time he did it as he crossed a finish line on a runway at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Prouder than ever and noticeably exhilarated from their efforts in the Persian Gulf, Marines were back in force Sunday morning at the base’s fourth annual “Run of the Runways,” which drew an estimated 2,000 runners.

It was a morning when civilian and military lines blurred during 5-kilometer, 10-kilometer and half-marathon races. Stockbrokers sprinted next to grunts. Marine dads and moms pushed babies in jogging strollers. Civilians in sweaty tank tops posed for pictures in front of military aircraft.

The talk was of record times and personal bests, not war and peace. And when a cannon fired in the morning, it was simply to signal the start of the race, not a battle.

Unlike last year’s run--in which patriotism was contagious and civilian runners donned yellow ribbons--this year’s involved no commemorative ribbons, no American flags. Just neon-colored shorts and Nike running shoes.

But the Marines said they didn’t mind that patriotism wasn’t worn on people’s sleeves. They said they still feel it everywhere they go, in the way the public regards them with a new respect.

“Operation Desert Storm really helped close the issue that came during the Vietnam War of military vs. civilian,” said Gillian Schilling of the El Toro base’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department, which coordinated the race. “I’ve dealt with the military all my life and there’s a lot more support now.”

Marines were noticeably few at last year’s race since thousands had been deployed to Saudi Arabia, but several hundred turned out this year.

During last year’s race, Lockeman and Cpl. James Chenevert were in the Persian Gulf repairing aircraft engines, quietly fearing they would never come back. On Sunday, they joked with three other members of their squadron that their only fear now was finishing last in the Leatherneck Challenge, a half-marathon relay.

Chenevert and Lockeman said Marines in Saudi Arabia held races, including a “birthday run” in the desert to celebrate the November anniversary of the Marine Corps, as well as some “camel runs.” But none of the races felt as good as this one, back at their own base.

“When you got out and hit the ground here, the feeling was overwhelming,” Lockeman said. “You wanted to kiss the dirt.”

A third member of Lockeman’s relay team said he feels the war in the Gulf gave people a “better understanding” of Marines.

“When I came in (to the Marines) in ‘79, it wasn’t something I would advertise,” said Sgt. Stan Sanders, 32. “Now I’m proud to say it.”

“The stereotype was broken,” said Sanders, who was not deployed to the Middle East. “Lots of people thought we were just a bunch of bloodthirsty guys that want to kill people. But most of us are here because we needed a job. If we are asked to go to war, we just do our job.”

For El Toro Marines, there was only one disappointment Sunday. The winner of the Leatherneck Challenge was a team from Norton Air Force Base. The aviators embarrassed the grunts on their home turf, but the El Toro Marines vowed to win the prized “Battle of the Bull” next year.

The real novelty of Run of the Runways was for civilians, who got a rare chance to run through the usually restricted base, past squadron hangars and aircraft. Proceeds of the races went to a fund that provides recreation and other services to Marines and their families.

“What today is really about is community relations. It’s the one day other than the air show when our gates are open to everyone,” said Master Sgt. Vincent Esquivel.