Troops to get priority Ten-Miler registration

By ATMMarch 29, 2011

2010 Ten-Miler Start
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, March 29, 2011) -- Army Ten-Miler race officials have announced changes to the registration date and procedures for signing up to run in the 2011 race.

This year, there will be a priority registration for all U.S. servicemembers and other runners who have participated in at least seven Ten-Miler races. About one-third of the total 30,000 race entries, the race's runner cap, will be reserved for this new priority registration program.

Priority registration will open May 1, and U.S. servicemembers must use a ".mil" address to register. A searchable data base will be posted for seven-time plus race participants to determine if they qualify for priority registration.

The remaining two-thirds of the race entries will be available to the general public, on a first-come-first-serve basis, beginning May 15.

"This is the Army's race and we wanted to improve registration opportunities for U.S servicemembers and those loyal Army Ten-Miler runners," Jim Vandak, the race director, said.

"Last year's race sold out in a record 36 hours. So, we still expect the 30,000 runner field to fill quickly and urge runners to register early," Vandak added.

For those who miss registration in May, the Army Ten-Miler transfer program will open June 1. Last year more than 2,500 runners were able to enter the race through the transfer program.

Race officials also confirmed that they will conduct a July lottery again for U.S. servicemembers, and this year's lottery has been increased to 1,000 entries.

The 27th Annual Army Ten-Miler, produced by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, will be held at 8 a.m., Oct. 9, at the Pentagon, the day before the opening of the Association of the United States Army's Annual Meeting and Exposition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Race officials also announced that staging of the 2011 race has been moved to the Pentagon North Parking Lot. Because of this move, the race will start on Route 110.

The flat, fast scenic course will continue to pass national monuments and memorials as it winds through the nation's capital. For the runners' convenience, race officials will implement a shuttle bus service between the Pentagon North and South Parking Lots.

The race's two-day Health and Fitness EXPO at the DC Armory will be held Oct. 7-8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. More than 35,000 attendees normally visit this pre-race event.

The armory is located at 2001 East Capitol Street across from RFK Stadium in Washington. Free parking will be available to runners and the public during EXPO hours.

The armory is also accessible from the Stadium/Armory Metro Station on the Blue and Orange lines.

The Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel in Arlington, Va., will again serve as the headquarters hotel for this year's race.

The hotel is located less than a mile from the Pentagon and is on the Metro Blue and Yellow Lines.

The hotel will offer a special room rate for runners and host the popular all-you-can-eat GEICO Pasta Dinner on Saturday evening before the race. Since the room block and Pasta Dinner always sell out, race officials encourage runners to make their reservations early.

Complete race information is available at www.armytenmiler.com.

Related Links:

STAND-TO!: Soldier Athlete Initiative

Army Ten-Miler