OCTOBER 8, 2018, Arlington, VA – The temperature was perfect, and the crowds were energized for the 34th Annual Army Ten Miler, Oct. 7, 2018. The 35,000 registered racers were full of excitement as the Presidential Salute Battery cannons jolted the runners to their start.
This annual race sees runners from all over the U.S. and internationally and focuses on overall total health and fitness.
“It’s a great demonstration of Army’s commitment to physical fitness,” said Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper. “It’s a recognition and reminder of all the Soldiers serving around the world to preserve our freedom.”
Before the race started, Army Medicine Best Warrior, Sgt. Joshua Meyer, Medical Research and Materiel Command, talked about his goals for finishing the race.
“I’m excited. I’m going to do my absolute best and hope to do a sub-70 [minute finish time],” said Meyer.
He was one of two Soldiers representing Army Medicine at this year’s Army Best Warrior competition at Fort A.P. Hill. He spent the week leading up to the Army Ten Miler going up against more than 20 Soldiers rucking 16 miles, competing in a land navigation course and on other warrior skills.
“Training for the Army Ten Miler fits into overall fitness because any time you’re working your heart, you’re helping your body,” said Meyer. “Your heart muscle is essential. And cardiovascular health is essential to everything we do – ruck marching, road marching, being able to carry 60 lbs. up a hill. This training for the Army Ten Miler helps me with all my other training.”
Sgt. Beatrice Clark, Regional Health Command- Central, also represented Army Medicine during the Best Warrior competition and ran the Army Ten Miler.
“We spent a lot of time on our feet with land navigation and a 16-mile ruck with a lot of weight on our backs,” said Clark. “The Army Ten Miler was really fun, really encouraging seeing everyone cheering on the runners. It was very motivating. This week has been a great experience.”
The Army Ten Miler is conducted by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. More than 650 teams compete, with runners coming from all over the U.S. and internationally. More than half the runners are Active Duty service members, Reserve, Guard, retired, veterans or military family members and DOD employees. This race is the third largest 10-miler rode race in the world and starts and finishes at the Pentagon and winds through Washington D.C.
Story by Courtney Dock
U.S. Army Medical Command