Sports Specialist Brandon Lamberson fires the pistol, signifying the start of the May 15 Army Ten-Miler Qualifying Run. The Fort Myer Military Community team did very well in last year's race, and is trying to fill spots with the fastest runners around. The next qualifier is June 12.
A couple of weekends ago on May 16, Army installation Fort Dix started the annual Armed Forces Ten Miler. The Ten Miler was significant to Fort Dix for many reasons. First, it kicked off a weekend of activities in celebration of Armed Forces Day. Second, it served as their main qualifier for a Fort Dix team entry into the 2009 Army Ten Miler. Finally, it allowed Soldiers and civilians to visit the Joint Base McGuire AFB-Dix-Naval Station Lakehurst by running through a beautiful course offering a variety of flats and hills.
Fort Myer Military Community, a pro-race event community, could not pass up the opportunity to support Fort Dix in their Ten Miler efforts. Fort Myer sent more than 50 runners to the 2008 Army Ten Miler and is expecting to send another 100 or more runners this year. If you can’t find a race at Fort Myer, then take off the blindfold.The Fort Dix run gave runners in our community a serious training opportunity early in the summer. It was a chance to see where they stand and how they can improve. After all, the Army Ten Miler is four months out with only three 10k qualifiers left to make the team.
Race day turned out to be a beautiful morning with a light mist in the air. Perfect conditions for a ten mile run. After three miles, having a little water dropped on your head certainly feels good. The Fort Dix FMWR staff set up a great event with free t-shirts, water and food for the Fort Myer runners. An accommodation and friendly hand is always appreciated.
Fort Myer brought up nine runners for the race. Unfortunately, the Armed Forces Ten Miler didn’t have team divisions because Fort Myer has a tendency to win those. Just ask the Navy Five Miler in Washington, D.C. where the Army and Fort Myer proved too strong and placed winners in every category while sweeping a few. However, Fort Dix wasn’t completely safe from seeing a black and gold race uniform on stage. Master Sgt. James Deal was 10th overall and Ali Saufmai, 13th overall, took 1st place in the 20-29 age division.
The cooperation between the two installations didn’t stop with the runners. Fort Myer FMWR recently acquired a new IPICO Sports Chip timing system. These chips are used in U.S. Cross Country meets, triathlon events, biking events and more all across the United States to Europe. The system will allow for quicker and more accurate race times on future fun runs and qualifiers as well as give the staff a chance to offer more fitness challenges. It is set to be introduced this summer during the qualifiers. However, as with every piece of technology, it needed a test. In a true sign of Joint Base cooperation, the Fort Dix staff invited Myer to use the chips at their Ten Miler.
Now with a practice run out of the way. Fort Myer invites all runners in Community to attend our next Fort Myer Ten Miler Team 10k Qualifier June 12. We thank Fort Dix for their support in providing a wonderful training opportunity to the Fort Myer runners and its’ staff. As long as they do not plan on beating Fort Myer at the Army Ten Miler, I’m sure we will teaming up for future activities.
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