24th running of the Army Ten-Miler here Oct. 5.
Several members of the USAREUR Ten-Miler team also met personal goals of posting career bests in the annual race through the streets of the nation's capitol.
"We've been training for this event for almost four months," said Pfc. Jason D. Williams, a patient administrator with the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Heidelberg. "We have a strong team and it showed. A few of our runners finished the race in less than an hour."
Williams finished the race in 58:49, a personal best. He said the team represented USAREUR well.
Williams said the team members were determined to better the times they logged during the qualifying competition held in May in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
"A lot of us wanted to run better than we did in Graf," Williams said. He said some of his team members considered many of their May qualifying times as disappointments. "We felt coming into the race we could do a lot better and by all accounts, I believe we did."
Williams said the Army Ten-Miler was particularly important to him.
"This race is very special. The best from all over the military come out and run. To be able to represent USAREUR means a lot," Williams said.
"To come together with guys from all over Europe and achieve one common goal is very rewarding," said Capt. Joel Stewart, with U.S. Army Dental Activity, Bavaria. "I think today we wanted to find our stride and minimize our separation. We did a great job finding our pace and had good motivation coming in and the results showed that."
Stewart posted a time of 56:07, maintaining a 5:37 mile pace and beating the qualifying time he set at Grafenwoehr by 18 seconds.
This year's USAREUR team, consisting of six men and six women, were joined by more 26,000 registered runners.
The USAREUR Ten-Miler team did not run alone. Gen. Carter F. Ham, USAREUR commanding general, and other leaders joined the 12-member team in the 10-mile trek around the nation's capitol.
Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph L. Beam, USAREUR command sergeant major, said events such as the run and the annual Association of the U.S. Army convention gives the nation an opportunity to recognize and thank Soldiers for their service.
"It's a time to celebrate and recognize all our heroes. It's good to bring everybody together and to recognize hard work Soldiers have done throughout the year," said Beam.
Beam said the wounded warriors participating in Sunday's race demonstrated Soldiers' determination and courage.
"When you see wounded warriors out there overcoming their injuries, it's an inspiration to everyone. When you face a little adversity, you pick up your pace and keep moving," he said.
For more information and official results visit www.armytenmiler.com.
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