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Runners represent Fort Drum in Army Ten-Miler
Monday, 05 October 2009
Photo by Jason B. Cutshaw
Laura Wells, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, crosses the finish line in the 25th annual Army Ten-Miler Oct. 4 in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON – The equivalent of two Army divisions ran through the nation’s capital Oct. 4 during the annual Army Ten-Miler.
This year, 30,000 runners registered to compete during the 25th anniversary of America’s largest and the world’s second-largest 10-mile race. Participants came from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and numerous foreign countries, including Israel, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ireland and Denmark.
“The runners did an excellent job,” said Christopher Lawrence, a member of 10th Mountain Division Band and Fort Drum Ten-Miler team captain. “The team cohesion was everything I could ask for. Next year, I hope our turnout is even better. If people like to run, there is nothing better than representing the 10th Mountain Division in the nation’s capital. It just doesn’t get any better than this.
“Everyone on the team put forth an effort second to none,” he added. “The morale was unreal, and I am proud of every one of these men and women who laid everything out there and completed the race with their brothers and sisters. It was a great experience, and I am honored to have represented Fort Drum with each of them.”
To kick off the day, the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team put on an aerial demonstration for the crowd gathered at the Pentagon.
Runners stretched and warmed up for the race through the nation’s capital, while Secretary of the Army John McHugh motivated participants. At 8 a.m., Gen. George W. Casey Jr., U.S. Army chief of staff, gave the signal, cannons fired and the race began.
Also competing in the race were several “Missing Parts in Action” participants from Walter Reed and Brooke Army medical centers.
The 10-mile challenge took runners along a scenic route of Washington and near the Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian Institution and Washington Monument.
“It was a good run,” said Fort Drum team member Gia Bichara, 20th Air Support Operations Squadron. “The scenery was great. and the weather was perfect. It couldn’t have been a better day.
“This was a great opportunity, and if people like to run, this is the place to be,” she added. “I am also glad I got a chance to come down here and represent the Air Force. It was fun.”
This year, 63 percent of participants were active duty, reserve, National Guard, retired, veterans, military Family Members or Department of Defense civilians. Nearly 99 percent of runners registered for the race on the Internet.
More than 1,200 volunteers assisted before, during and after the race. They helped set up, manned water points, helped runners maintain their course, cheered on participants and cleaned up afterwards.
“This is a lot of fun and a great experience; I wish I had started doing these a long time ago,” said Steven Travers, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, who was competing in his first Army Ten-Miler. “This is a great opportunity for Soldiers to come together, meet other Soldiers and possibly have some new experiences.
“I haven’t spent much time in Washington, D.C., and while running, I thought about how beautiful our nation’s capital is,” he added. “It truly is something every American should see.”
This year, 759 teams registered to run, nearly as many as the 1,379 individuals running in the first Army Ten-Miler.
During this year’s race, Alene Reta won the race in 46 minutes, 59 seconds – 33 seconds faster than the record established in 2004. Samia Akbar from Herndon, Va., won the women’s race with a time of 55:25 – 55 seconds quicker than the mark set in 1995.
After the race, competitors and old friends were able to visit the Fort Drum’s “Hooah Tent” to rehydrate and enjoy something to eat after running. The tent was hosted by the Northern New York-Fort Drum chapter of the Association of the United States Army.
Also at the tent, Fort Drum community members and leaders talked about the chance to represent the 10th Mountain Division to the nation during the day’s events.
“I think our Soldiers have come down here to represent Fort Drum and run for the ‘Climb to Glory’ division,” said Maj. Gen. James L. Terry, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum commander. “Coming down here is really fantastic, but to tell the truth, it feels better being back up at Fort Drum, N.Y., supporting the Soldiers as division commander.”
“It is great to be down here this week, and it is even better being back home at Fort Drum,” he added.
For full results of the Army Ten-Miler, visit www.armytenmiler.com.
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