ARLINGTON, Va., (Oct. 9, 2011) - Approximately 20 Soldiers and civilian employees from the 99th Regional Support Command joined close to 30,000 runners and walkers from around the world to compete in the 27th Annual Army Ten-Miler.

The 10-mile road race, which happens every October, is one of the largest 10-mile races in the world and is the Army's premier running event with an overall mission to promote the Army, build esprit de corps, support fitness goals, and enhance community relations. This year's event sold out in less than 20 hours.

The race is sponsored by the Joint Forces Headquarters - National Capital Region and the U.S Army District of Washington, which is located at Fort McNair, and all proceeds from the event support Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, a comprehensive network of support and leisure services designed to enhance the lives of Soldiers and their families.

With approximately 20,000 of the runners originating in the 99th RSC area of responsibility, runners from all levels made the trek to the Pentagon starting line to challenge themselves through the 10-mile course that passed by the Lincoln Memorial, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Mall and other historical landmarks ending back at the Pentagon.

Bonnie Mattingly, Family Readiness Support Assistant, 99th RSC, an avid marathon runner who usually runs an average of 40 miles per week, enjoyed the opportunity to run this year's event by pacing her daughter, Rhiannon.

"I wanted to show her a side of the Army that has nothing to do with guns and shooting," said Mattingly. "I wanted her to see unit pride, the hard work military members put out to get a job done, the camaraderie between service members and hopefully pass on my

love of the Army to her."

Rhiannon saw multiple teams displaying guideons for unit pride along the way; however it was not until the finish that she saw the magnitude of the multiple units.

As runners finished the race, they automatically entered an area where "HOOAH" Tents were located.

HOOAH tents were put up by various military units and organizations to serve food at no cost to runners and also to showcase their specific organization.

Second Lt. Rosalba Gallucci, 485th Chemical Battalion, originally was not able to sign up in time but signed up for the military lottery which was open to all U.S. service members. Gallucci was notified that she won one of the 1,000 slots and continued her training program by running long distances.

"I have always wanted to participate in this run," Gallucci explained. "It was very motivating to see the amount of patriotic runners."

Sgt. Ivelisse Febo, 408th Human Resources Company, trained for the event by running four to five miles a week leading up to the event and had a unique challenge shared by all of the runners.

"It's not the same to run on your own and then running with over 30,000 people

bumping in to you and trying to run a maze around the people who stop and walk right in front of you," said Febo, who enjoyed the run and is looking forward to competing in the run again next year.

Runners had the option to register individually or form teams with a minimum of four runners and a maximum of eight runners.

Even through the 99th did not form one of the 701 teams, the command is planning on creating a team for next year's event and possibly providing its very own HOOAH tent.

The 99th Regional Support Command acts as a "virtual installation" that provides world-class base operations support to over 50,000 Army Reserve Soldiers, 400 units and 300 facilities for the entire Northeast Region from Maine to Virginia for the Army Reserve in order to give our Warrior-Citizens and their Families the finest care, support, services and training.

For more information on the Army Ten Miler, please check out the following web site -

Army Ten Miler - http://www.armytenmiler.com/