WASHINGTON -- A sunny fall morning greeted the runners who converged Oct. 9 near the Pentagon for the 27th annual Army Ten-Miler.
Among the competitors was Team Redstone, four-time defending champion in the government agency division and two-time defending champion in the all-comers division.
"It's probably the best Ten-Miler weather that I've seen in the 12 years that I've been doing this," coach Harry Hobbs said.
Redstone took advantage of the good conditions by winning its fifth straight crown in government agency and third straight in all comers.
"The eagle (trophy) has landed in Redstone Arsenal Hooah Tent -- times two," Hobbs said. "We want to thank AUSA, the Garrison, FMWR and AMC for supporting our team. We've got to give a special thank you to AUSA for the Hooah Tent.
"We had five new members on our team this year. We had several injuries and we fought through adversity."
The team dedicated this year's race to Capt. Laura Matejik Eberts, who drowned March 21 while vacationing in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A member of the team in 2008 and 2009, she was 28.
In the Hooah Tent, sponsored by the Redstone/Huntsville Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army, a framed photograph of Eberts was prominently displayed with an empty storage container and a pair of running shoes. The photograph included the words, "In memory of Capt. Laura Matejik Eberts."
Three of Redstone's team members were unable to run because of injuries or health reasons.
"One of our guys had a cardiovascular emergency. We had two that had major leg injuries," Hobbs said. "A major health issue and two leg injuries. We still stuck together as a team and supported each other. We took everybody with us and cheered for each other, and we made history. We're very thankful for the support."
Redstone team one won the all-comers division with a total time of four hours and 44 seconds for its top four runners. Fort Lee, Va., was second with 4:18:13 and The A-Team took third with 4:31:27. Forty-two teams competed in all comers.
In the government agency division, Redstone team two finished first with 4:00:33, followed by PM Soldier Warrior (4:20:44) and Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., with 4:23:56. Twenty-two teams competed in government agency.
Brandon York led Redstone team one by finishing in 51:24. Brad Schroeder led team two in 54:57.
"It was a blast," York said after his first 10-mile race. "It went by a lot faster than I thought it would. Just a great competition just kind of carried me through.
"I really didn't expect to run that fast. But it all worked out though. I'd like to come back next year if I can."
Schroeder, the team captain, was a repeat top performer for Redstone.
"I think it was a great day to go running," Schroeder said. "The team was prepared and ready and everything turned out well."
The Redstone team one runners included York, Brett Wilks (1:02:25), Randy McFarland (1:03:19), Tim Pitt (1:03:37), retiring Command Sgt. Maj. Rick Cooper (1:30:27) and assistant coach Skip Vaughn (1:49:45).
Redstone two runners included Schroeder, George Heeschen (56:44), Erik DeBolt (58:37), Joseph Robenson (1:10:16), Command Sgt. Maj. Corey Smallwood (1:12:46), coach Harry Hobbs (1:25:53) and Col. John Hamilton (1:34:16).
Lt. Col. Morris Bodrick (heart surgery), Rob Youngren (stress fracture) and Derrick Gould (knee surgery) were unable to run.
Gen. Ann Dunwoody, commander of the Army Materiel Command, congratulated Redstone's team members after the race. "You're all winners in my book," she said.
Maj. Gen. Jim Rogers, commander of the Aviation and Missile Command and senior commander for Redstone Arsenal, visited the Hooah Tent before the race. "There's no pressure. Just repeat," he jokingly told the runners.
Team Redstone did just that -- twice.
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